02-12-2025
Photo: João Lima/NOVA FCT
More than 100 participants gathered at NOVA FCT to reflect on the future of tourism in the third edition of the Bridge Talks, promoted by NOVA FCT Executive Education on the Caparica Campus. The event brought together nearly twenty speakers and a diverse audience for an afternoon dedicated to rethinking tourism in Portugal, combining perspectives from academia, businesses, and public entities.
Throughout the afternoon, the programme addressed key topics such as the transformation of the sector, innovative leadership, and the strategic role of education in strengthening skills in tourism. The opening session included remarks from José Júlio Alferes, Dean of NOVA FCT, and Nélia Câmara, Director of NOVA FCT Executive Education, who underlined the contribution of academia to developing a more sustainable, competitive, and people-centred tourism sector.
In the different talks and panels, moderated by José Borralho (CIO – Chairman & Inspiration Officer at ConsumerChoice), Filipa Guedes de Campos (Commercial Director EMEA at GuestCentric Systems), and Roberto Antunes (Executive Director of NEST), participants discussed the challenges and opportunities that will shape Portuguese tourism in the coming years. Topics included the integration of technology, the humanisation of experiences, and the need for new models of collaboration between the public sector, private operators, and higher education.
The Bridge Talks aim to create a space for dialogue between academia, businesses, and society, positioning NOVA FCT as a platform for innovation on issues of major social relevance. Through these events, the School places scientific knowledge at the service of society, contributing to building a more inclusive world that is better prepared for the future.
Relive some of the highlights of the afternoon here. Photos by João Lima/NOVA FCT.
