22/12/2021
(Article I recently wrote for a newsletter)
Both in my job and in my role of ‘Liaison Officer’ I see it as a priority to hit the road and go talk to people. To get to know them and to hear their story.
Quinta do Farfalho is a luxury B&B, located on a 23.000 m² domain in the proximity of the Castle of Arnoia (Celorico de Basto), in Northern Portugal.
Heidi and Christophe, a Belgian couple, put their heart and soul in this B&B since beginning 2018. It was when Heidi walked the Camino to Santiago de Compostella in 2016 that she fell in love with Northern Portugal. Finding their spot in the green hills of Arnoia, 2 years later, was the start of a dream coming true.
In the autumn sun, in the shade under a tree in this beautiful location, I could look back on a very busy, but fantastic summer together with Heidi and Christophe.
What makes Quinta do Farfalho so special that people want to spend their holidays here? Who are your guests and why exactly do they choose this place?
Our Quinta is located in the middle of nature, almost hidden even in the middle of the woods. At the same time, we are barely an hour or less from known (read: more touristic) places as well as from Porto airport. To name a few: the cities of Porto, Braga, Guimarães, but also the coastal side, the Douro Valley and Gerês National Park are nearby. If they prefer, our guests can enjoy a stay in peace and seclusion at our Quinta. When they go on day a trip, they know that in the evening they will return to a place where they find peace and quiet. No obligations, and all is possible.
In addition to our location, we have a number of other assets. We have four double rooms and a separate, fully furnished holiday home. This makes our B&B very popular with couples and small groups, families or friends, who go on holiday together. Thanks to the 'room with breakfast' formula, they can be completely pampered during their stay. In addition, we also offer the possibility to have dinner in the evening. We serve typical Portuguese cuisine, prepared by our local chef.
Finally, we notice that our guests also appreciate our family approach, the feeling that they are at home here.
We can't get around it: the pandemic cut like a knife and made the tourism sector bleed in 2020-2021. How did you deal with that?
It goes without saying that the pandemic has also been a game changer for us. We were barely two years up and running when we were confronted with COVID-19. However, after the first lockdown, we immediately focused on national tourism. And the Portuguese quickly found their way to our B&B. That was mainly thanks to our switch in communication. Not only in terms of language, but through the choice of (other) communication channels. The Portuguese make extensive use of social media to choose a holiday destination, and we have responded to that.
It was also during the pandemic (when the measures allowed us) that we started serving dinner in the evening. This allowed us to offer our guests a relaxed and safe stay. We have hired a local chief and that strategic choice has proved to be an absolute hit. Because we offer typical Portuguese cuisine, our guests can really taste the Portuguese culture. Literally and figuratively.
What were/are the biggest challenges for you, as non-Portuguese, to start and develop a tourism business here? What did you run into?
Language is an obstacle, undoubtedly. The culture and 'the approach' are also different from what we knew. With the emphasis on 'different'. It's not about better or worse. And it is only by learning to understand the culture that you can actually set things in motion. By showing respect for their way of working. And by having patience. Because some (bureaucratic) processes are just what they are and you have to take that into account.
Portugal is investing heavily in tourism as a catalyst for the country's economic development. The North is on the rise. How do you think this can be supported (even better)?
The country does indeed have a lot of assets and the North is a fantastic green gem with potential that may still be underestimated. Both for national and international tourism. Promoting the North as a region, with its own authentic characteristics and assets, is a must. Just think of hiking tourism and the authentic cuisine, which is very different from the center and the south of the country.
In addition, it is also important that people are aware that attracting tourists also requires extra efforts at a local level. Just think of infrastructure and maintenance work, for example. Hiking trails that are promoted also need to be maintained. This is a learning process, but they are factors that determine whether guests return home with a happy feeling and whether they will return in the future.
How do you see the future of Quinta do Farfalho?
We can look back on a super busy summer. We are very happy with that. It also encourages us to evaluate and see what we can do differently and/or better in the coming years. Our close cooperation with the local community is very important to us. We want to continue to provide added value for our Freguesia and for the municipality, by providing employment, both directly and indirectly.
We also think we have something to offer in the field of B2B. Our location and our infrastructure is very suitable for teambuilding activities with small groups and teams. If required, we can work out a completely tailored program, together with various partners.
www.quinta-farfalho.be
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