The Algarve-Andalusian Tourist Professions Trans-Fair-Tur AA 2025 took place on February 20 at Faro, bringing together about 180 participants, including students, professionals and entities of the tourism sector. The event, integrated in the Eures Transfronteiriço Andalusia-Algarve 2024-2026 project, funded by the European Commission, aimed to promote work mobility and cooperation between the two regions.
João Amaro, one of the organizers, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “These events are very important to enhance the knowledge about the reality of the Algarve and Andalusia in the Tourism Sector, especially in training and professional mobility. The Eures Transfronioiriço Project has done a relevant work by identifying the main barriers and challenges that exist for this mobility to happen. Many of them are regulatory, others have to do with salary or mobility issues of their own people. The project has addressed these themes with the involvement of partners from different areas, from employment institutes to unions, business associations, universities and formative entities. This work has been critical to minimizing obstacles and allowing mobility to occur. ”
About the balance of the event, João Amaro stressed: “The program was structured to satisfy young students, professionals and entities in the sector. In the morning, we had over 100 young people attending lectures on the importance of training in tourism and a formative offer show, where several entities presented their proposals. The young people showed a lot of interest. In the afternoon, we organized a cultural tour of Faro so that participants would feel what it is to be a tourist professional in the city. In addition, the professionals reflected on the necessary trends and skills in the sector, and the final round table discussed the future of tourism training. Feedback was very positive, with participants considering their time well employed. ”
The Empleo Delegate, Autonomous ENTONOMIC WORKING EMPLE SERVICE, Juan Carlos Duarte Cañado, reinforced the importance of the Eures Trans -Fronteiriço project: “Events like this are crucial because they show the real work opportunities that exist on both sides of border. The European Commission has increased financing for this project, which now exceeds 1.4 million euros, which demonstrates the confidence in the work we are developing. Many Spaniards work in Portugal and many Portuguese work in Spain. This program helps solve problems and facilitates work on both sides of the border. One of the main challenges is the salary difference between the two countries, but we share the same level of life, weather conditions and infrastructure. The next challenge is to train professionals for new needs, such as the development of the hydrogen industry in Huelva, and ensure that companies find locally qualified labor. ”
For Catarina Paiva, vowel of the Portuguese Tourism Board, the event was essential for the sector: “These events are fundamental to give visibility to the strategic importance of human resources and training in tourism. Discussing the future of professions and skills is critical for industry performance. The main challenges go through sustainability, new technologies and the attractiveness of tourism as a sector for young people. The training must be aligned with the market needs and respond to the challenges of companies. Transfronic mobility is also a fundamental aspect, as it allows young people and professionals to gain skills and experiences, benefiting everyone. ”
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