Powerboat racing is being formally integrated into the Douro Valley’s tourism promotion strategy after regional leaders and national motorsport officials presented the sport as part of the region’s identity at BTL 2026 in Lisbon.
The president of the Federação Portuguesa de Motonáutica, Paulo Ferreira, appeared at the Discover Douro stand during Portugal’s largest tourism trade fair alongside municipal leaders from Peso da Régua and Lamego. The joint presence signaled a coordinated effort to position the UIM F2 World Championship as more than a sporting event, framing it instead as a strategic tourism asset for northern Portugal.
The Douro intermunicipal community, which represents 19 municipalities, used its stand at BTL to highlight regional products, cultural attractions, and major events that attract international visitors. The inclusion of powerboat racing reflects a broader strategy to diversify the Douro tourism portfolio beyond wine tourism and river cruises, sectors that have traditionally dominated the region’s international appeal.
Peso da Régua has hosted UIM F2 World Championship rounds since 2023, turning the River Douro into a competitive motorsport venue while drawing spectators from across Europe. Lamego, located on the opposite bank, has co supported the event, strengthening cross municipal cooperation. Organisers view the races as a way to extend visitor stays and increase hotel occupancy outside peak harvest and summer travel periods.
The 2026 F2 calendar places Portugal at the center of the season finale. Peso da Régua is scheduled to host round four from September 18 to 20, followed the closing event in Vila Velha de Ródão from September 25 to 27. Both locations have become regular stops on the international circuit, reinforcing Portugal’s reputation as a reliable host of world class motorsport events.
International attention on Portuguese venues intensified in 2025 when Mathilda Wiberg secured the world title in Vila Velha de Ródão, becoming the first woman to win a UIM Formula class world championship. The milestone brought global visibility to the Portuguese stages and demonstrated the competitive significance of the country’s river based circuits.
BTL 2026, held at FIL in Parque das Nações from February 25 to March 1, brings together more than 1500 exhibitors and thousands of tourism professionals. The event serves as a platform for regions to secure partnerships, promote large scale events and present integrated tourism offers to domestic and foreign buyers.
aligning international powerboat racing with the Douro Valley’s cultural and natural assets, regional leaders are seeking to strengthen the area’s global positioning. The strategy reflects a growing trend in Portugal to combine sport, destination branding and economic development within a single promotional framework aimed at expanding year round tourism activity.
