Rita Lavado

Head of Rural Tourism Promotion and Investment at Turismo de Portugal

I am based in: Lisbon

I currently manage the diverse sectors related to rural tourism promotion and investment that focuses on the "National Tourism Strategy 2027" – providing the needs to broaden widespread tourism evenly across urban and rural areas and increase social cohesion through tourism.

I have been working for Turismo de Portugal since 2007, managing and coordinating the diverse sectors comprising the Tourist Agencies and Activities, leading the legislative reforms of tourist activities and travel agencies.

I am a graduate student of Tourism Business Management from the Hotel and Tourism School of Estoril and initiated my professional career in tourism in 1999 at the Tourist and Financial Support Institute in the Tourist Support and Investment Department.

I was born and currently reside in Lisbon with my two children, having lived in Luxembourg and Brussels where I studied.