The Universidade Europeia recently welcomed Carla Salsinha, President of the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority, for a meeting dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping tourism in the Lisbon region. The session reinforced the institution’s commitment to fostering strong connections between academia and the tourism industry.
In her opening remarks, the Rector of Universidade Europeia highlighted the importance of such partnerships as a reflection of the university’s teaching model—one that closely integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application. She emphasized tourism’s strategic role as Portugal’s leading economic sector and underscored the critical contribution of younger generations in driving innovation and anticipating emerging trends in an ever-evolving global landscape.
The Rector also reaffirmed the university’s willingness to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders, bringing real-world challenges into the classroom and encouraging students to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions.
Carla Salsinha, in turn, addressed the key challenges facing the Lisbon tourism region, which encompasses 18 municipalities. She noted that approximately 86% of tourism activity is concentrated in just four municipalities, highlighting the urgent need for strategies that promote a more balanced distribution of visitors. Such an approach, she stressed, is essential to generating value and fostering territorial cohesion across the wider region.
She further emphasized tourism’s role as a powerful driver of regional development and described it as an “industry of peace and understanding.” Salsinha advocated for the reinvention of tourism practices to ensure they are both sustainable and inclusive.
The session also featured the presentation of a conceptual proposal for Tourism Awards tailored to the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority. The event was further enriched by the participation of renowned chef Júlio Fernandes, adding a culinary dimension to the discussion.
This initiative reflects Universidade Europeia’s ongoing dedication to bridging academic excellence with industry relevance, while contributing to a more sustainable and innovative future for tourism in Portugal.
Universidade Europeia reforça ligação ao setor do turismo com Entidade Regional de Turismo
