Edgar Francisco Dias Valles is a senior lawyer in Lisbon. Author of twelve books, he heads Casa de Goa (Portugal), the main Goan association of Goan Diaspora
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Security is another important factor. While France suffered from terrorist attacks of the Islamic State, there are no reasons for fear in Portugal. So, many tourists who cancelled their trips to France decided to come to Portugal instead
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Some years ago, we would not see Indian tourists travelling to Portugal. There were only Goans who did not really consider themselves as tourists, since they came to visit their relatives in Portugal and felt at home. Now, there are Indian tourists who come on tours, but not so many as the Japanese, who are everywhere, taking as many photos as they can.
Why are Indians coming to Portugal? The main reason, of course, is the emergence of a middle class with a higher income than before who can now afford to travel abroad. The other reason for travelling to Portugal is because the country is now considered as the best European country for tourism.
Portugal won the greatest number of awards in the World Travel Awards 2016, known as the “Oscars” of tourism. It won 24 statuettes as “best of Europe”, in a total of 110 prizes. Not even the violent fires in Madeira affected the prizes; in fact Madeira was chosen as the best island in Europe and the Choupana Hills Hotel, which was destroyed by the fire, earned the best resort-boutique award.
Monte Santo Resort was considered the most romantic resort. Algarve, the southernmost province of Portugal, was considered the best beach destiny. Lisbon, the capital of the country, was classified as the best destiny in Europe for cruises.
Why so many prizes? The weather in Portugal is very nice. In winter, temperatures are not very low and tourists, mainly from Nordic countries, find it amazing to walk in the streets with just a light pullover.
The country is also very beautiful, with many beaches and mountains as well. Another important factor is the cost of living. A British tourist can have lunch in Portugal for the same price that he or she pays for breakfast in London. Besides, the food is really tasty. Of course there are the Mac Donalds, as everywhere else in the world, even in India, but what people like is the traditional food, mainly the codfish served in a number of different ways.
What about wine? The country is small, just 89 000 kms, but one sees vineyards everywhere and each producer thinks his wine is the best wine in the country.
Indians like spicy food but only few dislike Portuguese food. So, when an Indian tourist is visiting Portugal, he will not insist on Indian food. As a matter of fact, he may even eat at an Indian restaurant. In all Portuguese cities there are Indian restaurants, with curries, tandoori, biryani, etc. There are also Goan restaurants, with Goan names: Flavours of Goa, Temptations of Goa, Delicacies of Goa, New Goa, etc.
A gentleman from Santa Inês, who was an employee at Temptations of Goa, and whose name is Jesus, has opened a restaurant with a very suggestive name, “Jesus é aqui” (Jesus is here). Probably the main reason, or at least one of them, that brings tourists to Portugal is the hospitality. People are not only polite; they are really friendly.
When I went to London for the first time in 1969, I was just 16 years old. I found it very interesting and encouraging that the British would ask a foreigner on the streets: “Can I help you?". This is something unique in Europe. But later on I realized that this behaviour is not exactly warm hospitality, as there always remains a distance between the British and the tourists. Probably because Portugal is a poor country, compared with other European countries, people consider foreigners as equals, even if their skin is darker. And this is what visitors to Portugal really like.
Security is another important factor. While France suffered from terrorist attacks of the Islamic State, there are no reasons for fear in Portugal. So, many tourists who cancelled their trips to France decided to come to Portugal instead.
Of course, there are Muslims in Portugal but, unlike what occurs in France or Belgium, they do not identify with the Islamic State and are fully integrated in Portuguese society. As a matter of fact, Muslims in Portugal do not come from Arab countries, but from India (through Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony in Africa) and also from Guinea, similarly a Portuguese colony in Africa.
So, there are many reasons to travel to Portugal.
However, there are also negative aspects. If one wants to make a hotel reservation in Lisbon or Oporto (the second town of Portugal), it is better to do so at least one month in advance, since the hotels are fully booked.
In the countryside, many people do not speak English, but it is widely spoken in the towns, especially by young people. But even in the countryside, a tourist does not feel isolated, because the locals are always ready to help.
People in the villages are used to all types of tourists and they also know that the economy depends heavily on tourism.
Some years ago, there were some critics who used to say many tourists were backpack visitors with a small amount of money, who did not spend much. Nowadays, nobody really cares. Even modest tourists spend and are welcome.
