Alentejo tourism expands through higher education and sustainable development

Higher education institutions in the Alentejo region are expanding tourism-related training to support the sector's growth and help retain young professionals in the area. The University of Évora, along with the Polytechnic Institutes of Beja and Portalegre, are providing specialized courses designed to complement the region's increasing tourism dynamics.

José Santos, president of the Alentejo and Ribatejo Regional Tourism Entity, emphasizes that high visitor numbers alone are insufficient; a robust professional ecosystem is required. He specifically highlighted an initiative by the Polytechnic Institute of Beja, in collaboration with Turismo de Portugal, to develop training for cross-border tourism management.

In addition to professional training, there is a growing focus on sustainable development through cultural and gastronomic identity. At the Raízes Vivas Festival in Santarém, discussions have centered on ensuring tourism growth does not deplete local resources. Santos advocates for a model where success is measured by the value retained within local communities and the preservation of traditional knowledge and landscapes, rather than just visitor volume.