The Revive programme, launched in 2016 to promote the sale or lease of old public buildings to the tourism sector, has received enquiries from about 440 interested parties, “of which 100 are foreigners," said the Secretary of State for Tourism.
The Castle of Cerveira was added to the list today, leaving dozens of ancient monasteries, convents, castles and forts up for negotiation.
"We feel that there is a growing demand as the programme develops and we are increasingly releasing it at the international level," added Ana Mendes Godinho.
"Portugal is an example of a country that has been able to implement this programme of converting unused assets. I am going to Madrid next week because we have been invited to present the Revive model to international investors. I also have been invited to attend the biggest event of international tourism investors, which will be in Berlin, to present Revive because more and more investors are aware of the programme and want to have more information," added the Secretary of State.
The government believes that this strategy for the reclassification of public buildings - through the concessions to companies for 30 to 50 years - is being successful and wants to export it to other countries where Portuguese is the dominant language.
"We are developing the internationalisation of Revive, taking into account the demand and success that it has had in Portugal, namely, developing the programme for properties that have a history of Portuguese heritage in Portuguese speaking countries."
The next stage is Revive Nature, for properties that can be converted to promote Portugal as a nature tourism destination.
"Revive Nature will be for requalification of smaller units. We are talking, for example, of old ranger houses, which are no longer being used," explains Ana Mendes Godinho who has been collaborating with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment to select appropriate properties.
See: REVIVE
Castelo de Vila Nova de Cerveira.
© Rui Manuel Fonseca/Global Imagens
