Inland tourism congresses promote cross-border cooperation in Iberia

The second World Congress of Inland Tourism is being held in Guarda, Portugal, bringing together participants from 18 countries. Organized by the Iberian Association of Inland Tourism (AITI), the event features over 45 speakers and aims to discuss how tourism can drive economic and social development in low-density inland regions.

Under the theme ‘Inland is Destination’, the congress addresses critical topics including sustainability, mobility, innovation, and territorial cohesion. The initiative seeks to foster international relations and identify new investment opportunities for these territories. For the 2026 edition, Castelo Branco will serve as the Guest City, with the Diputación de Cáceres as the Guest Region, emphasizing cross-border cooperation between Portugal and Spain.

In a related effort to strengthen regional ties, the XVIII International Tourism Congress (ITC’26) was hosted by the University of Vigo. This event focused on the challenges facing the sector, specifically highlighting cross-border tourism and cooperation opportunities between Galicia, Spain, and Northern Portugal. Discussions included the impact of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the creation of joint tourism products within the Euroregion.