Rural Tourism in Portugal has an important role in the national economy not only for its capacity
“export inside” and boosting economies, as well as creating jobs, promoting sustainability and generating income for other sectors of activity that benefit from tourism.
Rural tourism accommodation units, as a rule, their buildings incorporate the architectural features and construction materials intrinsic to the region. It should also be noted that tourism enterprises in rural areas have their own legislation, which is much stricter and more demanding than Local Accommodation.
Classification of Rural Tourism enterprises:
1. Country House
Country houses can be considered, properties that are located in villages or rural places, which provide accommodation to tourists. And that obey the traditional architecture of the region.
2. Village Tourism
Village Tourism is defined as a set equal to or greater than five country houses, located in the same locality or in close proximity. As long as they are operated by the same company.
3. Agritourism
It is considered the possible classification of Agritourism, when it comes to properties that are inserted in farms that provide accommodation services to tourists. And that they develop animation activities related to agricultural practice.
4. Housing Tourism
Housing Tourism establishments have the characteristic of presenting a high level of quality. Because properties are of interest in terms of historical and cultural heritage.
The properties are large, have a history, and have a family nature, where the owners are also living.
How to obtain financial support for setting up a Rural Tourism accommodation unit in Portugal?
1. Carry out the feasibility study and the business plan
- Support an application to the Portugal 2020 and/or Turismo de Portugal incentive systems; or obtaining financing from a bank;
- Carry out the diagnosis of market and strategic analysis, in order to define the positioning, action plan and respective feasibility study for the investment project.
2. Get in touch with the city council and Turismo de Portugal
It is important that you communicate to the respective city council about your intention and your project. Check the needs at the licensing level and about the architectural project, if required. Just in case you want to make the classification in one of the TER categories, you should also contact Turismo de Portugal in order to verify the requirements and the process for the desired classification.
More information about the differences between Local Accommodation and Tourist Resorts in our article: https://www.badireto.pt/artigos/empreendimento-turistico-vs-alojamento-local/