Beja, Portugal, Dec. 15, 2025 (Lusa) - Beja Airport in Portugal's interior Alentejo region, will have a tourist information centre by the "end of the first half" of 2026 to raise the profile of the region and improve hospitality conditions for those landing at the airport, according to the president of Alentejo regional tourist board.
According to José Manuel Santos, the first tourist office at Beja Airport will enable "the “Alentejo” brand to be built, managed and strengthened in the eyes of the tourist community", thereby raising the region's profile and improving hospitality conditions to attract new visitors.
"The space already existed, but it was not properly registered and now it is. There is a written agreement and a contract that confirms the possibility of its use. And our idea is to “brand” that space with the “Alentejo” image [and at the same time] make people feel welcome," explained the president, in statements to Lusa.
The new space, which is expected to be operational "in June 2026", is the result of a partnership between the Alentejo Regional Tourism Authority (ERT) and the Beja Polytechnic Institute (IPBeja).
"We have a clear idea that the infrastructure will begin to be used more by visitors, [that is], passengers who disembark for leisure, whether residential or hunting tourism, and therefore, there is a concern to provide good service and a policy of hospitality," he assured.
According to José Manuel Santos, many of the passengers who currently disembark in Beja "do not know that they are in the Alentejo".
The post will be operated by a team from IPBeja which, in the initial phase, will be present on the days when passenger planes arrive, welcoming visitors and giving them a welcome kit.
For the president of ERT Alentejo, the investment in this team and the "updating of the image" of the region will give "isibility and notoriety to the destination" and, consequently, allow for greater affirmation and exploitation of the tourism sector and the airport.
To work on this mission, the project also provides for "small actions and initiatives" for training and capacity building for airport professionals - Public Security Police (PSP) and Tax Authority agents.
"We also believe that these employees, who deal with visitors on a daily basis, who play a very important role in their duties and who are essential to the functioning of the airport, should be made aware of the need to welcome and receive visitors well, as they have a supplementary role," said José Manuel Santos.
At the same time, "information about the airport" will be posted on the VisitAlentejo website, run by ERT Alentejo, as this information is currently unavailable.
According to José Manuel Santos, in 2024, the airport infrastructure recorded 600 executive aviation movements and 30 non-scheduled charters.
ASYS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
