The Future of Tourism with KIPT CoLAB
On February 19, 2026, Empowered Startups attended the first KIPT CoLab Annual Meeting at NERA, a non-profit business…
On February 19, 2026, Empowered Startups attended the first KIPT CoLab Annual Meeting at NERA, a non-profit business association in Loulé, Portugal. The annual meeting focused on “Professions, Skills, and the Future of Tourism: Global Perspectives” and brought together researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders to discuss the future of tourism.
KIPT’s Role in Portuguese Tourism
KIPT (Knowledge to Innovate Professions in Tourism) is a Portuguese non-profit CoLAB (Collaborative Laboratory) that helps bridge academic research, industry knowledge, and innovation. KIPT focuses on three strategic pillars: knowledge creation, employment improvement, and sustainable competitiveness.
KIPT is recognized by the Portuguese National Innovation Agency (ANI) and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and brings together 20 entities involved in higher education, tourism governance, technology, and hotel/restaurant management.
They are the first and only laboratory recognized by the Portuguese government specifically established to ensure the country’s tourism growth is sustainable.
Innovative Ideas at the Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, we had the chance to hear from industry experts, including Antónia Correia, the President of KIPT CoLAB and a professor at the University of Algarve; Vitor Neto, President at NERA; José Apolinário, the President of the CCDR Algarve, among others. Many tourism topics were discussed, including well-being and workplace dynamics, human impact, digital transformation, and research and lifelong learning.
We always appreciate the opportunity to learn and network with our peers as we continue fostering innovative ecosystems and attracting talent to Portugal.
