How to encourage tourists to stay longer in Monchique and invest locally?

Developing a range of low cost maps for different interest which entice visitors to explore Monchique. The maps have been downloaded more than 1000 times and are still in use 3 years after the project.

Veredas de Monchique Maps

Packaging existing walks into easily accessible, themed maps promoting Monchique as a must-see destination.

The ‘Walkways of Monchique’ are packed with gorgeous nature, classified species and funny creatures. These five new maps package activities as themed maps, which tourists can download and print themselves, get given by guest houses or is included in information packs when renting a cottage.

Black and white maps for ease of print and low cost dublication.

Crafts and Producers of Monchique
An A3 map listing craft makers and local producers. Experience how local sausages, chairs and Medronho (fire water from strawberry tree berries) are made.

Trees of Monchique
A short walk past six classified trees of Monchique.

Picota Walking Map
A medium length autumn themed mushroom walk highlighting Europe’s biggest cork tree.

Caldas de Monchique
A short walk learning about natural remedies, passing through several micro climates.

Monchique Map
What to do, where to eat and sleep in Monchique.

Project Impact

Veredas de Monchique website had 309 views in the first two weeks of existence despite Christmas and December being a low season month. Since it has supplied maps to 1,780 visitors from 26 different countries with the majority visiting the site from Portugal.

My Role

As the initiator of the idea and concept, I worked with team members and local businesses to collect the content for the maps. I prototyped and GSP traced routes and researched existing walks in Monchique and the Algarve on how the mapped trails differentiate themselves in terms of themes and information on mushrooms, flora and fauna. I worked with two local organisations together to create two new walking paths (Tree Walk and Caldas Map). I also prototyped numerous maps and worked with Janki, our illustrator, on the final ones.

Marketing & Maintenance

Post project I am maintaining the site, responding to comments and got in contact with Monchique villa and cottage rental businesses and existing Monchique blogs to request a link to the Map's website to improve Google's searchability and raising awareness.

"We love the maps! About time Monchique had something like this! I printed and laminated them to give out to our guests when they day trip that way. Well done!"

Chantelle, Lagos Hotel

"You´ve done a great contribution to Monchique. A beautiful refreshment!"

Visitor of the Novas Direcoes Exhibition

The Veredas de Monchique Maps are an outcome of the Monchique Sustainable Tourism Project