1 - "Vale do Lima - A project for the territory, a project for the future"
It all began three decades ago with the creation of ADRIL. Formally established in 1991 and articulated with the Rural Development Association movement in the Vale do Lima region, ADRIL managed, from the outset, European Initiative Programs, namely LEADER I, also based on the management of strategies participated by local agents, financed by public funds and oriented towards integrated and sustainable development.
Biographical notes
Manuel de Carvalho Sousa has a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Évora and a Master's in Heritage and Tourism from the University of Minho.
Landscape Architect, works in terms of land use planning, urban planning, as well as Environmental Impact Studies and Sustainable Development.
Higher Education Professor at IPVC - Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo and at ISAG - Higher Institute of Administration and Management, in Porto, he is President of the Management Body of ADRIL - Integrated Rural Development Association of Lima.
He is also Vice-President of TURIHAB - Housing Tourism Association and owner of Casa de Alfena - Housing Tourism.
2 - "Viana do Castelo - Challenges and Opportunities for Development."
Viana do Castelo is a unique medium-sized city in the Portuguese urban network. Seat of the municipality and capital of the district, it has a privileged location in the coastal corridor of the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, which contributes to its openness to Europe and the world.
In this territory, mountain, river and sea environments converge in a synthesis of unique landscapes that mould people's daily lives, give them a distinct identity and cultural imprint, and boost economic activities such as agriculture, fishing, tourism and industry, while also creating the conditions for attracting foreign investment in innovative projects linked to the renewable energy cluster and the Blue Economy.
The sustainable development of this territory is leveraged by municipal public policies based on mobilising planning processes. The municipality has implemented a system of Incentives for economic activity, with clear results in activating and diversifying businesses and qualifying employment, as well as working on a 10-year strategic agenda - Agenda 20-30 Economy of the Sea - among other relevant actions, which will be discussed in this communication.
Biographical notes
Manuel António Azevedo Vitorino, 58, teacher.
He has a degree in Geography (Educational Branch); a master's degree in Geography - Specialisation in Spatial Planning and Development and a postgraduate degree in School and Educational Administration.
He is Deputy Mayor of Viana do Castelo, Councillor for Education, Science and Knowledge and Culture for the 2021/2025 term.
He represents the municipality in various municipal associations and sits on the Board of Directors of Águas do Alto Minho, S.A., is President of VianaFestas, President of the Board of ZEPAM - Zé Pedro Associação Musical and President of the Board of Founders of the Átrio da Música Foundation.
3 - “Solares de Portugal, the Rich Legacy of Portugal’s Architectural and Cultural Heritage”
I would like, as president of "TURIHAB – Associação do Turismo de Habitação", to present you my own Portuguese perspective of the origins, operation, and future of this association and of this style of high quality, culturally based in Historic Housing Tourism.
Along with the owners we were able to create, in the village of Ponte de Lima (Vale do Lima) in the Minho region of Portugal, one association TURIHAB. The members of this association worked together since 1983 to establish Turismo de Habitação as an identifiable accommodation type in Portugal offering hospitality to a wide range of international visitors as well as to many people in Portugal keen to enjoy a holiday in these surroundings.
TURIHAB become a larger association, in our days have 130 members. Our members have individually and collectively worked to continually improve the nature of their offer by adding value and guarantee the quality.
Our experience in the 1980’s led us to the view that, in order to create further impact upon the international market, it was necessary to create a “brand” identity for our accommodation product.
With this in mind, the members of TURIHAB successfully launched in 1993 "Solares de Portugal” to market this distinctive style of accommodation for all of Portugal. The name “Solares” is used in Portugal to describe unique and authentic family homes, which is a good description of many of our properties. In addition, we felt it expressed the warmth of Portugal and of the Portuguese people. “You arrive as a guest and you leave as a friend”.
Author: Francisco Silva de Calheiros e Menezes
President of TURIHAB – Housing Tourism Association
Email: fcalheiros@turihab.pt
Biographical notes
Eng. Francisco Silva de Calheiros e Menezes has extensive experience in the creation, promotion and leadership of national and international associations, such as TURIHAB, ADRIL and Europa Traditionae Consortium, through which he gained specific experience in the field of Tourism in Rural Areas and Rural Development. Combining this experience with her academic training, as she completed her Master's Degree in Tourism, with the Thesis: “Tourism as a Driver for Rural Development”, she has cooperated intensively with several organizations and entities at local, regional, national and international levels.