Portuense Living Tours signs agreement with Chinese tour operator

Porto Company organizes tours and tourist experiences in Portugal and Spain, employing 200 people. Between digitalization and fleet renewal, it will invest three million euros in 2024.

Living Tours, which organizes tours and tourist experiences in Portugal and Spain, offers more than 2,500 activities, has a fleet of 50 vehicles and more than 450 thousand customers, employs 200 people and last year had revenues of more than eight million euros. The company led by Rui Terroso has just closed a partnership with the “largest operator in China” in activities and experiences. Next year, between digitalization and fleet renewal, it will invest three million euros.

“We are leaders in online tourist activities in the Iberian Peninsula”, highlights Rui Terroso, founder and CEO of Living Tours, speaking to ECO/Local Online. It expects to close the year with a turnover of 16 million euros, with activities in the national market representing 80% of turnover and 95% of which are carried out by foreigners.

The company founded in 2004 has now established a partnership with Ctrip, a tour operator that says it represents 60% of the Asian market. “It is the largest operator in China in terms of activities and experiences. Ctrip customers will be able to access tours, activities and experiences throughout Portugal, including our offer and third-party offer from other partners, but sold by us”, explains the 47-year-old manager, with a degree in Management from Universidade Lusíada do Harbor.

From digitalization to fleet renewal

Next year, Living Tours will invest three million euros, two million of which will be spent on new land fleets, half a million euros will be used to invest in the digitalization of the company and another half a million in a new boat to complement the offer of the experience that launched Party Boat in August this year, which consists of an experience that combines music and an onboard bar on a trip along the Douro River.

Rui Terroso's objective is to have a “strong presence” in the five main national destinations, including islands (Porto, Lisbon, Algarve, Madeira and Azores). Cruises on the Douro “are without a doubt the most popular activity among tourists”, highlights the founder.

To mark its 20th anniversary, Living Tours will launch a new business area next year, Living Events, “filling a gap in business tourism in the city of Porto”.

In addition to wanting to take the “business further”, the manager highlights the importance of social responsibility and says that, for each tour sold, he makes a donation of one euro to associations such as Casa – Centro de Apoio aos Sem-Abrigo), Porta Solidária , Make a Wish or Portuguese League Against Cancer. Last month alone I gave almost 14 thousand euros to six associations.

See the full interview here .