Tourism in Portugal continues to break records. In 2023 alone, according to government dataIn 2019, our country received around 30 million visitors, 10% more than in 2019 (the best tourist year until last year), and 77 million overnight stays.
However, these are not just isolated figures, they are the livelihoods of many companies and workers who make tourism their livelihood.
In order to make life as simple as possible, REDUNIQ offers these companies a range of methods to make their lives easier. contactless payment (REDUNIQ Smart TPA e TPA REDUNIQ Softfor example) and online (REDUNIQ@E-Commerce e REDUNIQ@Payments) that allow you to adjust your service to the payment habits of holidaymakers and facilitate business management.
One of these services, the result of a partnership between REDUNIQ and Global Blue, a world leader in the management of Tax Free operations, involves the issuing of tax forms. Tax Free directly at the payment terminals REDUNIQ SmartThis allows companies to have greater flexibility in the integrated management of their businesses and tourists greater convenience in the whole shopping experience and VAT reimbursement, a much appreciated component for those who visit Portugal.
In addition to this, REDUNIQ also offers Portuguese businesses, with a physical or online shop, the functionality DCC - Currency ConversionThis allows businesses to receive payments in their customers' home currency in a transparent, informed and secure way.
REDUNIQ is always on the side of businesses, but it's not the only one working to ensure that they can continue to make Portugal a place of choice for tourists.
APTERN, do you know what it is?
What is APTERN?
Behind the acronym APTERN is the Portuguese Association for Tourism in Rural and Natural Areas, a Portuguese non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote rural and natural tourism in Portugal, not only by creating strategies to boost the sector, but also through a deep commitment to nature conservation and the development of re-naturalisation processes in rural and natural areas.
Through these numerous actions, which we'll look at in more detail later in this article, APTERN seeks to maximise the benefits of nature for individual and collective well-being and, of course, to defend the interests of its members.
APTERN's objectives
As you can see, APTERN was born with the firm conviction of boosting rural and sustainable tourism through measures that enhance nature and its recovery or conservation.
The association's main objectives include:
- To promote the sustainable development of tourism in rural and natural areas;
- Promoting and boosting all segments of the tourist offer in order to qualify the tourist destination/rural and natural areas;
- To promote the creation, development, management and sustainable operation of equipment in the sector, as well as to support the development of projects and activities in the areas in which the Association operates;
- Promote, organise and operate tourist entertainment activities that consolidate the offer;
- Developing training that promotes the sustainability and quality of employment, promotes knowledge and trains for the functions necessary for the development of rural and natural tourism activities;
- Aiming to develop intervention and employment promotion actions among the unemployed population and recent graduates in APTERN's areas of activity;
- Promoting social and environmental volunteering activities with a view to civic participation and social and environmental innovation projects that respond to the sector's needs;
- Representing brands and products;
- Promote and participate in R&D projects.
The role of APTERN: what is it for?
As we have mentioned and as can be seen from APTERN's objectives, this association seeks to serve as an anchor for knowledge and cooperation between government bodies and agents in the rural and natural tourism sector, to contribute to the sustainability of tourism and to provide its members with the training they need to improve their service and become more attractive.
In the latter case, APTERN offers advice to anyone wishing to investing in rural tourism and natural environment, develop a sustainable business model, promote the business and improve and qualify destinations and the tourism offer.
In terms of training tour operators, the association offers its members the following courses:
- Training in Rural Tourism;
- Training in Discovery Tourism;
- Training in Adventure Sports Tourism;
- Training in Tourism Animation and Events;
- English language training;
- Training in Tourist Itineraries and Circuits;
- Training in Commercial Marketing;
- Spanish language training.
You may also be interested to know how to legalise a rural tourism business?
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