Industrial Tourism of São João da Madeira wins National Tourism Award

Industrial Tourism in São João da Madeira won the National Tourism Award in the "Innovative Tourism" category.

The winners of the National Tourism Awards, organised by Expresso and BPI, in partnership with Turismo de Portugal and Deloitte, were announced this Wednesday, highlighting excellence in Portuguese tourism.

The São João da Madeira Industrial Tourism, winner of the award in the "Innovative Tourism" category, is the first project in Portugal to offer guided tours of working factories. Visitors can explore the region's rich industrial heritage through interactive workshops and visits to museums in refurbished industrial buildings. With 11 production companies, two support centres for the footwear sector and two industrial museums, this project is a benchmark for sustainable tourism, combining culture, education and innovation.

Another highlight of this year's National Tourism Awards was Bernardo Trindade, director of the Porto Bay Group and President of the Strategic Council of Tourism of Porto and North of Portugal, who was distinguished with the "Personality Award". This recognition reflects his visionary leadership and the significant impact of his contributions to the growth and excellence of the tourism industry in Portugal.

These achievements exemplify the creativity, resilience and innovative vision that drive Portuguese tourism, inspiring us to continue creating meaningful and memorable experiences for travelers around the world.