Venues: A Strategic Asset for the Portuguese Economy

When we talk about strategic infrastructure in Portugal, we almost automatically think of airports, ports, roads, railways, energy grids, and telecommunications. These are essential assets for the country’s competitiveness and its ability to attract investment, talent, and economic activity.

However, there is a type of infrastructure that is often overlooked in public debate but plays an increasingly important role in the contemporary economy: venues.

Convention centers, corporate event venues, arenas, auditoriums, cultural centers, hotels with capacity for large meetings, and multifunctional venues are now much more than just places to host events. They are platforms for economic development, international visibility, and regional revitalization.

In a world where the knowledge economy, innovation, and business relationships increasingly depend on high-quality in-person meetings, venues play a role similar to that of other critical infrastructure. They make it possible to hold international conferences, trade shows, product launches, corporate conventions, cultural events, and scientific meetings that generate value for multiple sectors.

The numbers clearly show this. Business and event tourism is recognized as one of the segments with the greatest economic impact per visitor. Participants in conferences and events tend to spend more, stay longer at their destinations, and help reduce the seasonality of tourism. But the impact extends far beyond tourism. Every major event mobilizes entire value chains that include technology, audiovisual production, catering, logistics, hospitality, transportation, communications, and specialized services.

Despite this importance, Portugal continues to view venues in a fragmented manner. Information about venues is scattered, selection and contracting processes are often inefficient, and the international visibility of the country’s offerings still falls short of its potential.

Even more concerning is the fact that some of the country’s most competitive destinations are beginning to face challenges regarding their capacity to host events. Cascais is a prime example. Over the past few years, real estate development pressure and the conversion of certain tourism assets have reduced the availability of hotel rooms and venues capable of hosting large-scale corporate events. This is a destination with a strong international reputation, but its future ability to compete in the MICE segment will depend on preserving and strengthening this infrastructure.

At the same time, there are regions with enormous untapped potential. Fátima is perhaps one of the best examples. Located in the center of the country, with direct access to the A1 highway, a robust hotel infrastructure, and the capacity to host thousands of visitors, it has exceptional conditions to establish itself as a national hub for events and conferences. However, it still lacks dedicated infrastructure that would allow it to attract larger events and diversify demand throughout the year.

A strategic investment in event infrastructure in Fátima could help reduce the region’s economic seasonality, which is currently heavily dependent on the religious calendar and periods of peak pilgrim traffic. More than just complementing its historical role, this would help create a new dimension of economic activity by attracting conferences, association meetings, business conventions, and professional gatherings.

These examples show that viewing venues as strategic infrastructure involves much more than simply managing existing spaces. It means planning for future capacity, identifying regional opportunities, and ensuring that the country has what it takes to compete in an increasingly demanding global market.

Digital transformation also plays a decisive role. Just as in the hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors, users today expect transparency, speed, and immediate access to information. Event organizers are looking for simple solutions to discover venues, compare options, and make data-driven decisions. Venues that fail to keep pace with this evolution risk losing their relevance in an increasingly competitive market.

Portugal is uniquely positioned to establish itself as an international leader in the events industry. It boasts talent, safety, accessibility, quality of life, and a diverse range of venues. The challenge now is to recognize that venues are not merely places where events take place. They are strategic assets that help attract investment, generate knowledge, promote innovation, and strengthen the country’s position on the international stage.

If we want a more competitive, more connected, and better-prepared economy for the future, it’s time to include venues in the conversation about the infrastructure that truly drives Portugal’s development.