Meeting 5th National Meeting of Wine Tourism Professionals

The 5th National Meeting of Wine Tourism Professionals will take place at Lusófona University - Lisbon University Centre, organised by the Portuguese Association of Wine Tourism (APENO), in partnership with the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority, and with the support of the Intrepid Lab.

The event brings together professionals, Lusófona University students, lecturers, researchers and leading organisations in the sector to discuss the main challenges and opportunities facing wine tourism in Portugal. Following the official opening session, with contributions from Maria João de Almeida (President of APENO), Mafalda Patuleia (Director of the Department of Tourism at Lusófona University), Carla Salsinha (Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority), Carlos Abade (Turismo de Portugal) and Pedro Machado (Secretary of State for Tourism), the programme will continue throughout the day with several thematic panels:

Wine Tourism Without Borders, exploring the role of the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP) in internationalisation and attracting foreign investment to the sector; Wine Tourism with Soul, focusing on the importance of tourist guides in promoting Portuguese culture and wine; Open Conversation "It's Not the Wine That Makes Customers Come Back", discussing hospitality and the visitor experience; Leadership in Wine Tourism, focusing on team management and innovation in the sector; and the Wine Tourism Certification Program (WTCP), presenting a European project for the certification and professional development of Portuguese wine tourism.

The meeting will close at 5:00 pm with the presentation of APENO's upcoming initiatives, including training, promotion and networking opportunities for its members.

Programme

9:00 am | Registration

9:30 am | Official Opening

Institutional addresses:

• Maria João de Almeida (President of APENO)
• Mafalda Patuleia (Director of the Department of Tourism at Lusófona University)
• Carla Salsinha (Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority)
• Carlos Abade (Turismo de Portugal)
• Pedro Machado (Secretary of State for Tourism).

Presenter: Vanda Lança Alves – APENO Public Relations Officer

10:00 am | Wine Tourism Without Borders: How AICEP Can Support Exports

How can wine tourism reach more international markets?
AICEP presents tools, strategies and opportunities to promote Portugal abroad and attract foreign investment.

Paulo Rios de Oliveira – AICEP Board of Directors

11:00 am | Wine Tourism with Soul: The Role of Tourist Guides in Promoting Portuguese Culture and Wine

Tourist guides are the voice of local areas, heritage and Portuguese wine. This panel explores the importance of communicating with accuracy, authenticity and passion.

Miguel Silva – President of the Portuguese Association of Tourist Guides and Tour Managers (AGIC) / or Marco Noivo (Lusófona University)

11:30 am–12:30 pm | Open Conversation – It's Not the Wine That Makes Customers Come Back

The way we welcome visitors turns a visit into a lasting memory and a visitor into a returning customer.

Manuel Cabral – President of the National Railway Museum and former President of the Douro and Port Wine Institute (IVDP)

Interviewer: Maria João de Almeida

1:00 pm | Lunch

3:00 pm | Leadership in Wine Tourism

How to lead wine tourism projects in a constantly evolving sector: team management, innovation and growth.

Flávia Gouveia – Coach specialising in Leadership and Communication

4:00 pm | WTCP – Wine Tourism Certification Program

APENO presents ongoing European projects, including the certification programme that strengthens professional standards, innovation and competitiveness in the sector.

Luís Souto – Vice-President of APENO

Patrícia Araújo – CEO of Biosphere

5:00 pm | Closing and Presentation of APENO's Upcoming Events

Training, promotion and networking for members.

Maria João de Almeida – President of APENO