National Railway Museum discusses railway tourism

International conference launched the “Time Travel” project

On 15 April, the National Railway Museum in Entroncamento hosted the “Industrial and Railway Tourism” international conference, which brought together institutional representatives, researchers, experts and industry professionals to reflect on the potential of the railway as a tourist, cultural and regional asset.

The event marked the public launch of the “Travelling Through Time, Railway between the Vouga and the Dão” project, aimed at promoting railway heritage and creating a distinctive tourism offering in the regions of Vouzela, Tondela and Oliveira de Frades.

The conference brought together national and international figures who discussed the railway as a tourist and regional asset, capable of fostering new experiences, attracting visitors and enhancing the appreciation of industrial heritage.

In the opening session, Manuel Cabral, chairman of the National Railway Museum, emphasised that tourism is based on “two magic words: emotion and experiences”, noting that “we stir emotions and create experiences, which are central to tourism today”.

The chairman of CP, Pedro Moreira, took part in a panel on the “Railway heritage: a past with a future”, and emphasised that the Company’s tourism offering has been evolving consistently, becoming increasingly integrated and collaborative, “strengthening ties with the regions, local councils, institutions and local businesses.”

He also highlighted that “CP’s tourism products now go beyond the train journey, incorporating distinctive local experiences”, which enrich the value proposition and enhance the appeal of destinations, an approach that has received very positive customer feedback.

The conference emphasised the importance of the railway as a key component of the tourism offering, celebrating the past, creating new narratives and paving the way for experiences that combine mobility, heritage and sustainable development.

Further details here.