HOST Douro returns from 5 to 6 October to explore the future of hospitality through the lens of what no technology can replace: the human factor. The event will take place in the heart of the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most iconic wine landscapes.
June 17, 2026. The second edition of HOST Douro, an international event born in the heart of the Douro Valley, will bring together hospitality professionals from around the world to reflect on the future of the industry in an era marked by the growing integration of artificial intelligence.
Taking place from October 5–6, 2026, in Alijó, the event will be hosted in a unique setting amid the stunning landscapes of the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Portugal.
Promoted by CIM Douro – Douro Intermunicipal Community, HOST Douro seeks to place hospitality at the centre of the region’s promotion strategy, positioning Douro as a benchmark destination not only for tourism but also for major national and international events. This aspiration is reflected in initiatives such as the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), which will be hosted in Douro for the first time in 2027. The prestigious international wine competition will bring together hundreds of tasters, buyers and influential wine journalists from around the world.
“At a time when the impact of Artificial Intelligence is widely debated, we want to emphasize that hospitality will always be about people. Today, Douro stands as an example of how knowledge, innovation, and the appreciation of human capital can transform a territory,” says Miguel Santos, Intermunicipal Executive Secretary.
The program will feature a lineup of international speakers over two days of talks, debates and insights, complemented by gastronomic lunches curated by some of the Douro’s most acclaimed chefs.
Confirmed speakers include João Rodrigues and Vânia Rodrigues, founders of Projecto Matéria (Portugal); Luís Baselga, International Wine Director at the Dani García Group (Spain); Michelle Schneider, author of The Professional of the Future (Brazil); Katherina Cordás and Ivan Bielawski of Tuju, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in São Paulo (Brazil); and Miguel Guedes de Sousa, from JNcQUOI (Portugal).
New for 2026, HOST Sessions will take place during the afternoons, inviting participants to engage directly with some of the people, projects, and places shaping the contemporary Douro. The sessions will consist of guided tours, workshops, conversations, and masterclasses that are intended to provide an immersive perspective on the region and its evolving hospitality ecosystem.
“We want HOST Douro participants to experience the region beyond its postcard-perfect landscapes,” says Miguel Santos. “HOST Sessions were created to reveal the Douro through the people, businesses, producers, and initiatives that are actively shaping its future. Hospitality is one of the region’s most strategic assets, and we believe it deserves to be at the centre of the conversation, both nationally and internationally.”
A key pillar of the event remains its social impact. As in previous editions, all ticket proceeds will fund scholarships at the Basque Culinary Center for students from five schools across the Douro region, reinforcing HOST Douro’s long-term commitment to education, talent development and the future of hospitality.
About CIM Douro
The Douro Intermunicipal Community is an association comprising 19 municipalities, with the mission of promoting the region’s economic, social and cultural development. Through a strategic approach focused on enhancing the territory and its communities, CIM Douro has implemented transformative initiatives in tourism, innovation, mobility, sustainability and skills development, strengthening Douro’s identity and positioning it as a destination of excellence.