Portugal Heralds a New Era for Tourism

Having welcomed 30 million visitors last year alone, Portugal continues to experience an upward trajectory, with an 18.5 per cent increase in revenue generation. This growth directly impacts the environment and ecosystems, underscoring the urgency for innovative approaches to sustainable tourism. Blessed with biodiverse coastlines and wildlife-filled wetlands, Portugal boasts 22.4 per cent of protected areas, including the EU’s third-largest marine protected network. Amanda Ho, CEO and co-founder of Regenerative Travel, an association dedicated to regenerative hospitality, remarks: “Since arriving in Portugal three years ago, I have witnessed numerous projects across the country dedicated to slow, sustainable, and regenerative tourism.”

Moving beyond traditional sustainability practices which often seek to balance negative impacts with positive actions, this emerging approach aims to create enduring net-positive impacts for local people and environments. Simultaneously, it offers guests a unique and immersive experience, challenging them to reconsider their current behaviours.

Nestled between one of Portugal’s most glamorous beach retreats and a well-preserved natural reserve on the Atlantic coast, Sublime Comporta comprises 23 rooms and 22 cabana-style villas on a 17-hectare estate amidst flourishing biodiversity and rare native species. Villas are thoughtfully designed around existing trees, seamlessly integrating them into the architecture.

The hotel’s infrastructure is a testament to environmental stewardship, with solar panels powering the heating and a self-sustaining wastewater treatment plant displaying 100% autonomy in drinking water and irrigation. At the heart of this living ecosystem lies one of Europe’s largest Bio Pool connecting nine suites with private terraces. Here, aquatic plants work together to purify the water, eliminating the need for chemicals and leaving no ecological footprint.

Showing a commitment to considerately develop the region, the hotel predominantly employs locals and collaborates with nearby fishermen and farmers to curate menus brimming with regional delicacies and seasonal produce. “We believe that investing in the local economy in a sustainable and socially responsible manner contributes to its longevity and the far-reaching stories it tells,” emphasise the owners Gonçalo Pessoa and Patricia Trigo.

Beyond the spectacular coasts and beaches, Portugal offers a vast countryside with small boutique hotels and homestays deeply rooted in the essence of the land. Located in Fátima, a renowned Christian pilgrimage centre, Luz Houses offers a secular and inclusive take on a sacred place, instilling a return to culture and tradition. Inspired by 19th and 20th-century architecture, this quaint village employs thermal brick insulation, LED technology for energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting and wastewater reduction, ensuring an authentic and low-impact experience for guests.

At Craveiral Farmhouse, a charming village where four hamlets of made-in-Portugal houses are inserted, 70 per cent of the restaurant’s ingredients are sourced from the vegetable garden and orchard, with the remainder coming from local or national producers. “Craveiral holds a special place in my heart as its philosophy embodies the joy of coming together around the table and savouring produce straight from the farm,” says Ho. Elsewhere, rare chicken breeds at risk of extinction have been introduced for their eggs, contributing to the ‘garden-to-table’ concept.

The establishment has also implemented a comprehensive waste management system, encouraging recycling and composting. “This first dream project was started with the intention to leave our neighbourhood better than we found it and regenerate the region through the circular economy,” explains Pedro Franca Pinto, Founder and Chief Dreamer Officer. “We also promote a comfortable experience connected to nature, giving a sense of freedom and belonging.”

In the historical region of Alto Alentejo, Gavião Nature Village features ten ecological cork shelters, 13 glamping tents with sustainable wood chip furniture, a farm with an organic garden, and a restaurant showcasing ancient cuisine and local producers. The project was co-founded by Fernando Couteiro and stems from a love for the land, the region, and its rich heritage. “We’re committed to honouring ancient traditions and involving the community in projects like communal bread making,” says Couteiro. “This reflects a broader aspiration to foster ethical practices and values among our staff and guests, promoting a shared responsibility to look after each other and the planet.”

With its rustic-chic design and remote coastal location an hour away from Lisbon, Areias do Seixo offers a tranquil retreat to unwind and reconnect with nature. It is the brainchild of Marta Fonseca and Gonçalo Alves who opened this first location 14 years ago with a strong environmental ethos. The rebellious little sibling, Noah Surf House, was born in 2018 and both, although different in style, are decorated with repurposed and upcycled furniture from construction sites, the fishing industry, and surrounding forests. Inspired by permaculture and agroforestry, an organic garden supplies both restaurants with a bounty of fresh seasonal produce.

Renewable energy takes precedence with solar panels and geothermal heat pumps serving as primary power sources. At Areias do Seixo, air conditioning is non-existent but compensated by the fresh breeze blowing throughout the seasons. Meanwhile, a mere six-minute drive away, Noah Surf House’s 13 bungalows, crafted from natural stones, absorb heat during the day to release it evenly and efficiently during the night.

But what makes both destinations a cut above the rest is the sense of community and a slower pace of life encouraged by group sport activities, the Ayurvedic spa, and Fonseca playing music for guests in the evening around a fire pit. “We aim to share intimate moments with our guests, sowing seeds of care and respect for others and the natural world, enabling them to carry this ethos home and apply it into their daily lives,” explains Alves.