Joana
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a passion for history and a thirst to learn more about Portugal and the places I visited with my parents, so I would read the books around the house about travelling and history. When travelling with family and friends, I was already taking guided tours without knowing it. I graduated in Communication Sciences and had the marvellous adventure of doing Erasmus in the city of Santiago de Compostela, a city I love. My love of heritage grew and so did my desire to be a guide, so I took a Master’s degree in Heritage and Cultural Tourism. Since 2017 I’ve been giving guided tours in the north and centre of Portugal.
I speak Portuguese, English, Spanish and Galician fluently.
Fun Facts
Contests
Participation in the XX AGACS Photography Competition, with photos published in Libredón Magazine No. 34 year 2020, on pages 5 and 55
Honourable Mention in the 1st São Victor por uma Lente Photo Contest, January 2018
Winner of the University of Minho Confucius Institute Talent Competition, 2021
Winner of the Chinese Singing Competition at the Confucius Institute of the University of Minho, 2016
Plateau Director in Award-Winning Short Film – ‘A Escolha’ (The Choice): Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actress, 2012
Honourable Mention in the 3rd Cabeceiras de Basto City Council Children’s and Youth Literary Competition, Best Writer category, November 2008
Other Fun Facts
I’ve done the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way) 4 times, on foot
I’ve participated on a videogames soundtrack: Rise of the Valkyrie, 2015
Participation on Operação Oliveira directed by Tim Steiner, 2013
Publications
A Animação Turística como Ferramenta de Educação Não Formal e de Inclusão Social – o caso da Destino4all, Projeto de Turismo Inclusivo em Braga, Portugal in Turismo Patrimonial: um olhar sobre o Espaço Lusófono, 2025
Following in the Footsteps of Mary and Jesus: A Proposed Route through the Shrines of Our Lady of Porto d’Ave and Bom Jesus do Monte (Portugal) in Journal of Tourism and Heritage Research, 2021
The role of promotional touristic videos in the creation of visit intent to Barcelona in International Journal of Scientific Management and Tourism, 2017
The role of promotional videos in shaping the image of cultural tourist destinations, Master’s thesis in Heritage and Cultural Tourism, University of Minho, 2015
Courses, training and exams
Small Course: Inclusive Citizenship (Access Portugal, December 2023)
Small Course: Voices of Inclusion: Inclusive Paths, scientific innovations, perspectives and scenarios (Casa do Professor, November 2023)
In-depth Course on the History and Heritage of Minho (University of Minho, February 2023)
Paths Fidei Training Course: Architecture and Liturgical Space (Secretariado Nacional para os Bens Culturais da Igreja, November 2022)
Workshop: Clear and Accessible Language (Access Culture, September 2022)
Workshop: Active Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups – Culture for All (CIM Alto Minho, 25 May 2022)
Small Course: Inclusive Service: Tourism for All (Turismo de Portugal, 12 May 2022)
Small Course: Website Creation (AEB, April 2022)
Curricular Unit: Heritage Safeguarding Management (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 12 December 2020 to 23 January 2021)
Workshop: Advanced Digital Marketing Techniques: e-commerce, advertising and retargeting (Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Porto, 18 December 2020)
Digital Marketing (Google Digital Atelier, November 2018)
Exam: HSK 3 (14 July 2018)
Workshop: Live your own brand! – The construction of history (Galileu, May 2016)
Conference: Cultural Heritage and Creative Tourism: opportunities and challenges (Pporto.pt and VERdeNOVO, May 2016)
Digital Marketing Conference (Flag, 23 May 2015)
Workshop: Digital Marketing, go beyond your business! (Galileu, 19 September 2014)
Master’s Degree in Heritage and Cultural Tourism, University of Minho 2013-2015
Degree in Communication Sciences, University of Minho 2010-2013
