• New TUI Colourful Cultures project trains 115 young adults in sustainable design practices, creating innovative tourism products that celebrate Portuguese heritage 
• Initiative bridges cultural heritage preservation with modern sustainability practices to transform Lisbon's tourism product offerings  
•  Monthly exhibitions and a creative hub in Lisbon's historic Chiado district will showcase sustainable products and connect artisans with tourism businesses and visitors 

Berlin, 27 November 2025.  Lisbon is experiencing significant growth in tourism, yet this rapid expansion has exposed pressing challenges. Mass tourism is transforming the city's commercial fabric, replacing authentic, locally produced goods with industrialised merchandise that lacks authenticity and often has considerable environmental impact. Traditional commerce, once a genuine reflection of Portuguese culture, is increasingly replaced by imported products that disregard sustainable and ethical practices.   

To address these challenges, the TUI Care Foundation has partnered with Admirável Reino – Associação (Escola do Largo) to launch TUI Colourful Cultures Lisbon. The initiative empowers young adults in various aspects of sustainable design whilst fostering a new generation of professionals capable of addressing environmental and social challenges in tourism.  

The project will provide comprehensive training to young adults aged 18-38, with a focus on creating sustainable products that celebrate Portuguese heritage. The curriculum includes twelve specialised modules covering sustainable design principles, circular economy, fashion design, natural fabric dyeing, product design, sustainable packaging, marketing, digital design, interior design, and entrepreneurship.  

Based in Lisbon's popular Chiado historic district, the project will establish a creative hub where participants can develop innovative products using sustainable and traditional techniques. Each month, exhibitions open to the public will showcase student work, creating direct connections between emerging designers and the tourism market. The initiative will also organise study visits to sustainable hotels, suppliers, and design events, providing participants with real-world insights into sustainable tourism practices.  

The project will directly benefit 115 young entrepreneurs and emerging designers, with a focus on financially vulnerable individuals, offering free tuition for 60 of them. 22 events, including monthly exhibitions at Escola do Largo and learning expeditions will be organised to promote sustainable design in tourism. These activities will also reach visitors, including tourists interested in authentic, sustainable products.  

TUI Colourful Cultures Lisbon responds to the need for the city and its stakeholders to adapt to the new paradigm of sustainable development, contributing to the transformation of tourism and the local economy. By training a new generation of designers in sustainable practices and creating market linkages with hotels and tourism businesses, the project aims to develop high-quality, locally produced alternatives to mass-produced imported souvenirs, supporting the preservation of local culture at the same time.  

This initiative is part of the global TUI Colourful Cultures Programme, which protects cultural heritage and empowers creatives in tourism destinations around the world.