The Quinta Do Lago resport in Portugal. Photo credit: Quinta Do Lago.

By Anders Lorenzen

The global COVID-19 pandemic has shaken much of the world’s economic sectors and industries, and travel is not isolated from this challenge.

One of the big questions on everyone’s lips is whether we will ever travel in the same way again and if the outbreak will have a lasting impact on how, when and where we do travel?

Portugal is one of the European countries in which the economy is heavily reliant on tourism and has subsequently taken a huge financial hit from COVID-19. They have also been slower to come out of COVID-19 lockdown measures than neighbouring Spain.

Now that the global travel industry is starting to open up again, I took the opportunity to catch up with Joana Oliviera from the eco-resort Quinta Do Lago in Portugal to hear about how things have been for them. 

Joana and I chatted for some time, during which she explained to me how in their particular resort, they have used the COVID-19 break as an opportunity to improve and strengthen their environmental credentials by lessening their environmental and carbon footprints. She also shared her outlook on sustainable travel and tourism post-COVID-19.

You can watch the full interview below.