Rota Vicentina Association
About Rota Vicentina Association
The Rota Vicentina – Association for the Promotion of Nature Tourism on the Alentejo and Vicentina Coast is a non-profit organisation, created in 2013 with the purpose of managing the network of trails and strengthening the potential of this territory as an area for dynamic and sustainable tourism with regenerative capacity.
With about 100 founding members, today it has more than 200, mostly local companies, but also individuals, some public entities and more than 40 tour operators from 11 different countries.
Serving the interest of its Associates, Rota Vicentina follows the route of public interest, managing a network of trails as public infrastructure and the brand Rota VicentinaⓇ as private capital for the economic stimulation of the network of partner companies, which in turn invest in a joint model of sustainable commitment in the region.
Because of its innovative model, Rota Vicentina has been a reference for many similar projects, whilst it has itself continued seeking inspiration in other places in Portugal and the world.
Embrace - Protect - Support
*
To contribute to integrated public and private investment in the sustainable development of the Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, through a tourist offer based on:
- the enjoyment and regeneration of nature;
- support for the local and endogenous economy;
- the promotion of the culture and quality of life of local communities.
Where are we heading?
In a young Association which seeks to respond to a dynamic and multi-faceted reality, the objectives evolve over time, reaffirming the matrix of its mission. After a strong investment to support the expansion of Rota Vicentina’s offer and structure between 2007 and 2020, which culminated in 2 years of strong focus on the community and the internal market, the Association entered a new era, in which the following objectives stand out:
- To stay at the vanguard of collaborative networks based on regenerative tourism dynamics, integrating pedestrian and cycling trails for public use with the selected offer of local products and services;
- To strengthen a growing balance in tourism demand, throughout the year, between the coast and the interior of the territory and in the different types of consumption;
- To extend the management model to a more participatory system, making associates and the community jointly responsible for some areas of expansion;
- To guarantee the Association’s financial autonomy, its functioning and healthy development in linking with the various public and private agents.
How was
Rota Vicentina
Rota Vicentina was launched as a network of footpaths in May 2012, and the Association was born only one year later. Until that date, the Casas Brancas Association was the coordinating entity, in partnership with the Almargem Association, the municipalities and parish councils, local and regional entities, companies and individuals who supported and enabled the project at various levels. Since then, the project has evolved in the hands of the Association created for that purpose, the trail network has grown and so has its roots in the local economy.
Municipalities
The Municipalities make an important technical and financial contribution from the very beginnings of the project, having also assumed a crucial component in supporting the maintenance of the route.
Parish Councils
The Parish Councils play an important role in maintaining the trails and signposting and liaising with the local population
The partners are: the Union of Parishes of Santiago do Cacém, Sta. Cruz e S. Bartolomeu, the Union of Parishes of S. Domingos e Vale de Água, Cercal do Alentejo, Sines, Porto Covo, Relíquias, São Martinho das Amoreiras, Vale de Santiago, São Salvador e Santa Maria, Sta. Clara-a-Velha, Saboia, Colos, S. Teotónio, S. Luís, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Longueira/Almograve, Boavista dos Pinheiros, Luzianes-Gare, Odeceixe, Rogil, Aljezur, Bordeira, Vila do Bispo/Raposeira, Sagres, Luz and São Gonçalo de Lagos.
Other partners
Milestones in our History
2012
- Launch of the Walking Trails in the Alentejo: Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail;
- “British Guild of Travel Writers” Award of Merit from the British Society of Travel Writers, which annually recognises tourism initiatives worldwide;
- “Welcome to Portugal” Prize – LIDE Tourism and Gastronomy, awarded by the business association LIDE.
- Launch of the Walking Trails in the Alentejo: Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail;
2013
- Launch of Walking Trails in the Algarve
Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail - Creation of the Association Rota Vicentina
Association for the Promotion of Nature Tourism in the Alentejo Coast – July 2013 - “More Innovation” Prize
prize awarded by the Mais Alentejo magazine - Honourable Mention in the category “Agriculture, Sea and Tourism
Green Project Awards Portugal - “Innovation” Prize, Portugal Trade Awards 2013
prize awarded by Publituris magazine, Portugal - The film “Rota Vicentina Two Steps to Freedom” received 1st prize in the Ecotourism category
Baku International Tourism Film Festival, Azerbaijan - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” nominated for the CIFFT 2013
Grand Prix International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals, Austria
- The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won 5 awards at the Art&Tur – International Tourism Film Festival
- Best Film – “Grand Prix”
- Best Promotional Film
- Best Portuguese Tourism Film
- 1st prize, category “Expeditions and Trips”
- 1st Prize, category “Rural Tourism”.
- The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won the Silver Dolphin in the category “Tourism Films
Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, France - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” was awarded the 1st prize, in the category of Videos and films up to 30 minutes featuring countries, national institutions, regions and cities, commercial tourism at
TOURFILM – International Film Festival On Tourism Films, Czech Republic - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won 1st prize, in the category “Ecotourism Film”, in the section “Tourism film
IFFEST Document.Art – International Film Festival, Romania - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” was a finalist in the category “Ecotourism and Biodiversity”.
Deauville Green Awards 2013 – The International Film Festival For Sustainable Development and Ecology, France - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won the Certificate for Creative Excellence, in the “Tourism Films” category
US International Film & Video Festival, USA - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won 2nd prize in the category “Commercial Tourism
Tourfilm Riga – International Tourism Film Festival, Latvia - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” won the Bronze World Medal, in the category “Film and Video – Industrial Productions”
New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards, USA - The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” was awarded the 3rd prize, in the “Regions” category
The Golden City Gate – International Tourism Film & Multimedia Competition, Germany
- Launch of Walking Trails in the Algarve
2014
2nd National Award in the category “Supporting the development of green markets and resource efficiency” at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2014
2015
2016
The Rota Vicentina Historical Way was distinguished with the European Certification “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe”, by ERA (European Ramblers Association), which brings together the exclusive group of the best walking destinations in Europe.
Project: Entre a Serra e o Mar 2016-2018
Internationalisation of the potential of the natural resources of the Alentejo and Southwest Alentejo for active tourism.
Check project info2017
Launch of the 3 Circular Routes in Bordeira Project: Rota Vicentina MTB 2017 -2020 The ROTA VICENTINA MTB operation consisted of the creation of an integrated network of cycling and walking routes for Active and Nature Tourism in SW Portugal, by integrating the existing walking trails of Rota Vicentina with new mountain bike routes and new Circular Routes.
2018
The film “Rota Vicentina – Two Steps to Freedom” was a top 3 finalist at Adventure in Motion – Adventure Travel Trade Association – ATTA Toscania and took 3rd Place in the Creative Excellence Certificate, US International Film & Video Festival, Los Angeles
2019
The Rota Vicentina film “Fall in Love with this Land” collected the following awards and distinctions:
- 2nd prize in the category “Ecological Tourism” at The Golden City Gate
International Tourism Film & Multimedia Competition, ITB Berlim - 1st prize, in the category “Nature & Eco-Tourism”
, April 2019 at the International Festival of Tourism Films – Bulgaria “On the East Coast of Europe”. - Winner of the Certificate for Creative Excellence at the
US International Film & Video Festival, USA - 1st prize, in the category “Ecotourism”
at the 12th International Tourism Film Festival “Tourfilm Riga”, Latvia - Winner of the Certificate for Creative Excellence at the
US International Film & Video Festival, USA - Several awards and distinctions at the 12th ART&TUR – International Tourism Film Festival:
- 1st Place in the Sustainable Tourism category
- 2nd Place in the Active Tourism category
- 2nd prize in the category “Ecological Tourism” at The Golden City Gate
2020
The film “MTB Stories” won the following awards:
- The Blue Danube – Tourism Services and Sport Tourism
- Best Film Award in the “Sports Tourism” category, SILAFEST, Serbia
- The Best Sport Tourism Film: “Best Sport Tourism Film” award, Zagreb TourFilm Festival, Croatia
- Award in the category of “Ecotourism”, AMORGOS Tourism Film Festival, Greece
- 1st Place in the Sports Tourism category, ART&TUR International Film Festival, Portugal
- 6th Place in the Ranking for Best Film – Tourism Products, CIFFT Festival
- 13th Place in the Ranking of Best Tourism Films in the World (Audience Choice), CIFFT Festival
2021
Rota Vicentina Historical Way was once again distinguished with the European Certification "Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe" by ERA (European Ramblers Association), which brings together the exclusive group of the best walking destinations in Europe.
Projects co-financed by the EU
The Rota Vicentina project is integrated in a strategic investment under the Portugal 2020 programme, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Currently, it has the following ongoing projects:
Newsletter
Subscribe to the newsletter here to keep up to date with everything that happens on Rota Vicentina.