Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Algarve, in Faro.
9th November 2017, 09:30 hours to 17:45 hours
Fraud affecting the tourism industry is one of the fasted growing crimes, involving villa-rental fraud, air-ticket fraud, fake food poison scams as well as others. Losses to potential holiday makers are considerable and are increasing, and the industry, including travel agents, hoteliers, villa letting companies and individuals who let properties all suffer as a result.
Tourism is increasing globally and Portugal is the choice for many, particularly from northern Europe. It is likely that fraudsters will take advantage of this trend, resulting in a further increase in this activity.
Safe Communities Portugal, Regional Tourism Algarve and the Judicial Police Officers Association have therefore planned this unique conference as a pro-active initiative to address these issues. The event will be officiated by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Dra. Ana Mendes Godinho.
This seminar will explore the threats to tourism posed and what steps are being taken in Portugal to identify the risks and reduce the affects. It will provide an opportunity for attendees to gain a greater insight into the problems resulting from such fraud, including the experiences of the local letting and management agents, who deal with victims.
The aim of the conference is to identify best practices, which can help the industry in creating awareness, enhance preparedness and thus put in place appropriate measures, to reduce these frauds in the future. This will benefit the local tourism industry here in Portugal and attendance will provide an opportunity to gain further information concerning this subject and what steps can be taken locally and internationally.
The seminar will aim at improving standards in the construction, design and management of websites and social media in the advertising of holiday accommodation and related services, to make them more resilient to fraud.
The conference will bring together around 12 presenters, who are experts from: the national cyber security centre Lisbon, police, a UK based international fraud expert, consumer organization, hotel, travel and property letting associations, and travel industries. There will be plenty of opportunity for the participants to ask questions.
Property letting companies, tour operators, property management companies and property owners who let properties are encouraged to the conference, which will be the first international conference of its kind to be held in Portugal – possibly Europe. The conference is sponsored by TUI and Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Algarve
This is a full day conference and entry is free. The event is in English and Portuguese. Registration is required by contacting planeamento@turismodoalgarve.pt no later than 6th November.