“Kindness is my ‘simple thing’. I believe it should be at the core of everything we do”
We catch up with Nuno Tavares, founder of Tours For You, to find out how kindness is key when it comes to tailored travel in Portugal and Spain
Hi, Nuno, tell us a little about yourself
Olá! I run Tours For You, a Portuguese-based travel company, which specialises in creating bespoke travel, events and experiences throughout Portugal and Spain.
That sounds exciting, how did this come about?
I started my career as a Telecoms Engineer, however, my true passion lay in travel. I loved exploring off-the-beaten-track, away from crowds, and instead of big-brand chains, I preferred boutique hotels with local charm. So, in 2003, I set up Tours For You to share these ideas with discerning travellers who wanted to experience Portugal in the same way. The business proved so successful that a couple of years later we expanded to include Spain. We also offer tailored incentive and event packages throughout Portugal for international corporate clients.
Wow, the company has really taken off!
Yes, 23 years feels like a lifetime. Luckily, we’ve had far more successes than failures – although every single step has taught us something along the way and, more importantly, they’ve helped us to build our respected reputation. Today, we’re an enthusiastic and passionate team of 35 – which still makes us a small enterprise, but not too small because we’re a niche operator.
What sort of experiences do you offer?
We don’t have ready-made packages or a list of options – not because we have too little to offer, but because we have too much! Our services start with a conversation, and we can craft something specifically shaped to the client’s needs. Whether it’s hosting a leadership retreat in Lisbon, organising a culinary team-building in Alentejo, or simply planning a break to discover the hidden gems that give Portugal and Spain their character, Tours For You can make it happen.
What a great story, you must have had many highlights over the years
Indeed, just four years after we started, Tours For You was invited to become part of Virtuoso, a prestigious travel consortium, and several other travel brands have since followed suit. We also get regular coverage in well-known travel magazines, which keep us in the public eye. Tours For You has also been nominated for Best Destination Management Company/Tour Operator many times, and I think this is a direct result of our creative, highly reliable and kind approach towards our clients. However, the greatest reward is always great feedback from happy clients.
Your motto is ‘kindness-made’, tell us more…
Kindness is my ‘simple thing’. I believe it should be at the core of everything we do – especially in the changing world that we find ourselves in. In fact, it’s my aim to always have it at the forefront of our minds and to inspire everyone around us: our staff, our travellers, our partners, our competitors and, of course, ourselves.
It’s clear Tours For You is a passion project. What else interests you?
I’ve also been fascinated by ecology and film making since I was a boy. Five years ago, I combined them both when I directed a documentary called The Soul of a Cyclist. I wanted it to convey an ecological message about how the simple things really are the best things in life. It was exhibited at film festivals around the world, from the UK to Japan, and won some great accolades.
That sounds fantastic. What else is on the horizon?
I want to learn more about permaculture and develop my ecological interests further. However, my focus is firmly on Tours For You and embracing our clients’ needs with the good values, practices and reliability that define us. When it comes to looking for new trends and experiences to offer our travellers, having a ‘startup mentality’ with the maturity and experience of a 23 year old company will hopefully stand us in good stead.
For more information and inspiration, visit toursforyou.pt or follow at: @toursforyoudmc