First “Confiança Porto” seals delivered to 20 tourist accommodations

Twenty tourist accommodations were distinguished yesterday under the municipal recognition program “Confiança Porto/Trust Porto”. An initiative that aims to contribute to the qualification of human resources in the sector and recognize tourist accommodation that implements in its business a set of good practices and initiatives at the management level.

The ceremony took place in the Bolhão Market and was attended by the councilwoman of Tourism and Internationalization, Catarina Santos Cunha, other councillors of the Executive, the president of the Municipal Assembly, Sebastião Feyo de Azevedo, presidents of boards or parish unions, managers of accredited accommodations or who are in the process of recognition, as well as other stakeholders in the sector, including the Hospitality School of Porto.

“We don't choose recognitions, no one is here out of sympathy or courtesy. They are the result of the fulfilment of a set of predefined requirements, which are based on the excellence of the offer, in all its aspects", said Catarina Santos Cunha.

New website, with more information

These requirements range from reception, cleaning, equipment to infrastructure, safety, sustainability, economic circularity, as well as the use of local products.

"This program is one of the main examples of the materialization of a sustainable vision that we advocate for Porto destination and that we have presented for days", said the councilwoman of Tourism and Internationalization.

The “Confiança Porto/Trust Porto”, implemented by the Porto City Council since April 2021, will have, according to the councilwoman responsible for this area, a new website, making known to the public and tourists the accommodation duly recognized by the Municipality. "Our great ambition is that all tourist accommodations have this recognition," concluded Catarina Santos Cunha.

Tourist accommodation managers satisfied with quality seal attribution

The delivery of the seals "Confiança Porto/Trust Porto", which includes all types of tourist units (local accommodation, hotels, etc.), had a representative of the company Airbnb, reinforcing the partnership, previously established, within the scope of the program. To date, 20 tourist accommodations have been recognized.

For Manuel Carneiro, from Yotel Porto, this is “a recognition of a brand that works in the sector, but also promotes local culture. We knew what the requirements were and, in that sense, we are very proud to have this seal. Our innovation – we are the only hotel that has robots circulating in the unit itself – ends up bringing recognition and development to the tourism market in Porto”.

António Costa, manager of the tourist accommodation “Home of de Poet”, underlines how the seal “Confiança Porto/Trust Porto” is awarded. "The criteria are well defined, with rigorous surveys. This makes all the difference”, he says, adding, “It's good to give visibility to tourist accommodations. This is what the institutions of power are for. Knowing that, locally, we are being recognized for the good work we do”.

Recently, Porto was voted Europe's Best City Destination 2022 and is in the race for two world awards at the World Travel Awards 2022, known as the “Oscars” of tourism. Porto integrates the finalists for the world awards, in the categories “World's Leading City Destination” and “World's Leading Heritage City Destination”.