TURIHAB PROFILE

The Concept and Nature of TURIHAB – Associação do Turismo de Habitação

The first meeting of TURIHAB – Associação do Turismo de Habitação, (the Portuguese country and rural tourism association), took place in Ponte de Lima, March 1983.

"Turismo de Habitação" was recognised as being an important contributory factor to develop the tourism in the region: thus a need for a co-operative organisation for common interests was seen.
The major objective in mind when TURIHAB was first formed was for the preservation of the region's magnificent manor houses and of its traditions and culture. The president of TURIHAB, Francisco de Calheiros, sees it as important to promote the spirit of the association, the "corporate identity" as is shown in his statement:

"We are a big family, with common interests, and will benefit in the elimination of competition between us, and the maximum of cohesion and co-operation: concentrating upon projecting a quality image".
TURIHAB is an association with 100 members. The second objective was to initially bring together these houses, which all have common interests. Thus benefiting avoids competition between them, with the maximum cohesion and co-operation. Therefore concentrate upon projecting a quality image.
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• To preserve the region's magnificent Solares de Portugal and it's traditions and culture;
• To provide accommodation for tourists in the rural regions where it otherwise would be difficult to stay;
• To represent the members of the association, as one body, to the government.

TURIHAB - since 1983 certifying quality of Solares de Portugal

TURIHAB, located in Ponte de Lima, Northern Portugal, was founded in 1983. Ten years later, when it organized the First National Meeting of Turismo de Habitação, it created the brand Solares de Portugal.
TURIHAB received the Prize of the European Year of Tourism (1990), the Gold Medal of Tourism Merit, and the European Tourism and Environment Prize, and the honorable mention .Architectural Heritage .(1995). It received European Commission mention, .Towards Quality Rural Tourism - Integrated Quality Management of Rural Tourist destination. (1999); it received from the Association of Tourism Journalists, the prize of Tourism Personality (1999), and the Federation of European Journalists Prize, for its European Web Project - .Europe of Traditions. (2002).
The certification of TURIHAB, CENTER (2005), with the ISO9001:2000, and the Solares de Portugal network with the ERS3001:TER (2006) underlines our total commitment to implementing the strict regulations that govern tourist country accommodation and reinforces our determination to maintain and continually improve our services that merit the AICEP .Marca Portugal. (2006).
To achieve and guarantee the quality offered by Solares de Portugal is the result of more than 25 years of effort of TURIHAB, its partners and, most of all, its association of owners without whom it would not be possible to create a national system of this nature and size. This commitment to providing high quality accommodation in distinctive family properties is reflected at the European Union level through the network “Europe of Traditions”(www.europetraditions.com) and in the South American Mercosul countries with the “Fazendas do Brasil”(www.fazendasdobrasil.com).

SOLARES DE PORTUGAL – The Brand
To be able to market the product effectively TURIHAB has developed the Trade Mark Solares de Portugal two-classification systems, one according to the type of house and the other in relation to the house's price level. The types of houses range from 'Casas Antigas' (manor houses) to 'Quintas & Herdades' (farmhouses) and 'Casas Rústicas' (rural houses).
The Solares de Portugal option is divided into three categories: Casas Antigas, Quintas & Herdades, and Casas Rústicas, according to their stateliness, dimensions, spaces and gardens included, as well as decorations and historic furnishings.
The “Casas Antigas” are elegant manor houses, stately homes and country estates characterised by their elegance; many of them originated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their architecture is of great heritage significance, the various styles reflecting the distinct chapters in the history of Portugal, corresponding to that of “Turismo de Habitação”.
The “Quinta & Herdades” are agricultural country tourism, farms and estates, within a rural setting and atmosphere, who main houses encompass architectural styles from the classic to the rustic, and correspond to Agro-tourism.
“Casas Rústicas” are agricultural farms, rural houses and cottages, distinguished by their type of construction, being of simple architectural style and utilising regional materials. Generally of smaller dimensions, they contain simple and practical, but comfortable furnishings. Located in the heart of rural villages or within farms, they offer an excellent opportunity to appreciate the peace and tranquillity of the country life, corresponding to rural tourism.

SOLARES DE PORTUGAL

To overnight in a Solares de Portugal is to enjoy warm welcome and hospitality that are an art of the Portuguese families. It is also to experience the rich historical and cultural patrimony of a secular tradition that the owners of the houses share with their guests in a simple and courteous style.
The guests of Solares de Portugal have their choice of a wide variety of activities from fishing, golf, pleasant outings on foot and on horseback, tennis, swimming, and harmonizing with nature.
Dinner is a symbol of family life, often enjoyed with the home-owners families and other guests. Later, the warmth of the fireplace, the atmosphere and Port wine, can extend the evening and the appreciation of the fine Portuguese cuisine, which is accompanied by “vinho verde” (green wine), “Maduro” wine or a Port wine.
Solares de Portugal is the authentic and a personalized way to know the particularities of each region, its festivities, gastronomy, its customs and traditions. The logo of TURIHAB reflects this, and includes the symbols of the pheasant (simplicity), the rose (beautiful and secret), gold (justice), silver (friendship), red (worthiness), and green (courtesy).

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