RURIS Projects 2023

In 2023 RURIS delivered a range of projects addressing themes high on the current agenda, in particular tourism, sustainability, forest protection, social innovation projects, territorial cohesion and adding value to local resources, assets and operators. Among them, the following stand out:

Verde Sentido Project

The “Verde Sentido” itinerary is the result of collaboration between seven municipalities (Amarante, Baião, Cabeceiras de Basto, Celorico de Basto, Marco de Canaveses, Mondim de Basto and Resende) and 50 private operators, centred on Vinho Verde wines. Its creation came out of capacity-building and cross-selling sessions, aimed at offering a comprehensive proposition that would meet the needs of tourists and visitors as identified by travel agencies and local tourism activity companies. This made it possible to give recognition to endogenous products and to consolidate the Douro and Tâmega destination in the wine tourism segment.

This food and wine itinerary did not only meet a market need; it also played a crucial role in establishing Douro and Tâmega as a destination of excellence in wine tourism. It also attracted a market niche interested in wine tourism experiences and complementary products such as nature, culture and gastronomy. It is worth noting that the experiences were designed to suit different profiles of wine tourist, from the occasional to the most dedicated.

Aldeias New Generation – Smart Villages Tâmega e Sousa

The Integrated Territorial Development Strategy “Smart Villages do Tâmega e Sousa”, developed by the Inter-municipal Community of Tâmega e Sousa, aims to increase the attractiveness of 22 villages and small towns to new residents, entrepreneurs and visitors. RURIS supported the preparation of the assessment, the definition of the strategic matrix for selecting the villages and towns, the definition of the action plan and thematic programmes designed specifically for the territory, and its governance model. Priority was given to work grounded in listening to civil society, encouraging its involvement in identifying investment needs and priorities.

Beiras e Serra da Estrela – Presence at BTL

The 15 municipalities of the Inter-municipal Community of Beiras e Serra da Estrela (CIM BSE) were represented for the first time in a single stand at BTL’23 – the Lisbon Tourism Exchange. Together they conveyed the message that the territory had been reborn after the previous year's fires and flash floods. Visitors were invited to sponsor trees in a reforestation campaign launched during the event by CIM BSE. Each sponsorship allowed visitors to follow and plant their own tree. In addition, each municipality presented its authenticity and singularity at BTL’23, highlighting new experiences and the region's diversity in landscapes, traditions, history, gastronomy and tourism events. RURIS was responsible for organising this activation.