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Fatima Bugarin is a local Portuguese guide who has worked with Rick Steves for many years. For her current perspective on the status of tourism there, why The Knights Templar Castle in Tomar is a significant cultural symbol and insights about Rick Steves please read my recent interview with her (7/27/21).
For the latest Portugal travel rules and restrictions please see the US Embassy in Portugal
Q) Can you please briefly tell us about you and what made you want to become a tour guide?
My name is Fatima (a very common Portuguese name), and I was born in South Africa. My parents immigrated there during the tough years of dictatorship in Portugal. My father is Spanish and my mother is Portuguese, so from a very early age I had the privilege of speaking three native languages- English, Spanish and Portuguese. When they returned to Portugal in the late 70´s, I continued my studies in Portugal, but started working during my summer holidays in the local tourism office of my home town of Tomar. I had immediate contact with the guiding world (due to my language skills). It was a natural step to continue my higher education in Tourism and Cultural Heritage and choosing tour guiding post graduation. I also continued my studies in Education, becoming a foreign language teacher, but my true passion is in the world’s classroom- teaching and sharing Portugal with travellers, which I have been doing for over 30 years.
Q) Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the tourism industry. Can you please give us the present day, on the ground overview of the situation in Portugal?
Covid-19 hit the world as a total surprise! Portugal´s economy is very much dependant on tourism, so as you can imagine this pandemic has had a devastating effect on the economy of the country and in particular in the tourism industry. Tourism experienced a complete halt, never before have had we experienced anything of the sort. Local authorities tried hard to make ends meet, by providing some income through subsidies, but it was all so new that in some areas it failed. Most of my guide colleagues and myself had to find any form of survival- without any preview of when work as a guide would start. I went back to teaching in a public school, and although it was a blessing and a privilege to get back to my students- I missed guiding everyday!!!
Portugal is now, slowly coming back to life and tourism is starting to pick up, our country is a very popular destination, therefore if you´re fully vaccinated for Covid-19(that’s a requirement), you are very welcomed in Portugal and we are very grateful for your choice. Things are looking pretty hopeful for the following year.
Q) Portugal has such a rich and fascinating culture and history. I know it is extremely difficult to pick a single thing, but can you point to a piece of architecture or art that best tells its story?
Wow, this is a tough question! As you well said, it is extremely difficult to pick one…but I will have to fight my corner, and say that it is the UNESCO World Heritage monument in TOMAR – The Knights Templar Castle and the Convent of Christ. It relates to the beginning of our country during the Reconquista,(Order of the Knights Templar) through to the Discoveries (Order of Christ), both military and religious orders made Tomar their headquarters leaving an impressive imprint such as this monument. Nevertheless, we are home to many architectural jewels and probably the best way to understand them is to understand our people- we´re friendly, welcoming and that’s our heritage- after all, Portuguese people went all around the world when it was still basically unknown!
Q) Rick Steves is a true legend and so genuine and great in all he does. How did your paths cross and how did you end up working with him?
I started working with Rick Steves as a local guide many years ago. In 2015, I was invited to be part of the “family” as a Portugal tour guide, and without any hesitation I jumped at the opportunity. I was fascinated by his travel philosophy, his respect for local culture and people and his personality. Any guide that works with Rick Steves, sees way beyond the legend, there is a humanity side that stands out and is passed on to anyone that works or gets to know him. I had the privilege of having Rick Steves as a tour member on a tour of Portugal that I was leading! Yes, it was awesome, memorable, and educational. I am so glad that I had this privilege.
Q) Is there anything about Rick Steves that might surprise people?
Rick Steves is a genuine personality, what you see is what you get. There are no surprises, but maybe it´s what we don’t know that might come as a surprise- all the behind the scenes work such as his sponsorship in many social causes, his philanthropic facet and his respect for human kind.
Q) Any future travel trends that you think are coming or any final comments about the state of travel in Portugal?
This pandemic has certainly changed the state of travelling and tourism. Portugal is very optimistic for the coming seasons, although it seems pretty obvious that it will take a while to get back to the tourism rates of 2019. Requirements to travel, such as vaccination and local authority sanitary measures are here to stay, but we are ready to welcome tourists, eager to get back to guiding and sharing our country with those who choose to visit us. Hope to see you soon! Até breve!
To see Portugal through a local lens and gain fresh perspectives please contact Fatima on your next Portuguese adventure:
