On 18 and 19 June, the first partners meeting of the SMITour project was held in Lisbon co-organized by Potuguese partner ISCTE and the Lead Partner Municipality of Prato ; a two-day event of technical meetings, public events and study visits involving the entire partnership, with the participation of professionals and experts from the Industrial Tourism sector and made possible also thanks to the sponsorship of Turismo da Região de Lisboa.
The public workshop “Challenges and Opportunities of Industrial Tourism in Portugal” held at the University Institute of Lisbon was a comprehensive event that brought together local professionals and experts in the field of industrial tourism to share success stories and case studies. The event, coordinated by University Institute of Lisbon, aimed to stimulate a debate on the sector’s challenges and opportunities for economic development, innovation, and social growth. The workshop featured presentations from local experts, including representatives from Turismo de Portugal, Universidade Lusofona, and Conservas Pinhais Museum, who shared their insights on the current state of industrial tourism in Portugal. The event also presented the first results of the country survey, analyzing data and indicators from the local industrial tourism sector, highlighting similarities and differences between countries. The survey provided an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of current situations, showcasing best practices and existing good practices at a local level.
The meeting’s second day consisted of study visits to Setúbal and its surrounding area, where SMITour partners visited the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti, a museum located in a former canning factory that has been transformed into a museum emphasizing the industrial heritage of the area. The visit highlighted the potential of industrial heritage in the region. The second stop was the Moinho de Maré de Moursica, an old tide mill located in the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, which has been preserved in excellent condition due to its historical significance as a traditional engineering landmark.
