Claudia Matias

Director - India Visit Portugal

Claudia has extensive experience in a variety of functional areas and industries, ranging from information technology to innovation and entrepreneurship to organisations. She has a strong understanding of international business and the visitor economy.

Claudia worked for VisitBritain for 12 years, first as a Marketing Executive and then as a Country Representative in the Portuguese market, before joining Visit Portugal. In the role, she was instrumental in raising destination awareness and establishing strong business partnerships within the travel trade and stakeholders to support consumer destinations campaigns.

Claudia feels that communication is a very important factor in empowering everyone. It’s important to share common aims with others around to work towards the same goal. Claudia believes it is more the role of a mentor to guarantee that everyone is on the same page and working toward a same objective. Having everyone involved and ensuring that all will make a difference is important. All are contributors and part of the equation. Being accountable and having ownership of one’s contributions is also a must.

For Claudia, it is also important to be a good listener and to be open to accepting and delivering feedback and suggestions. When this happens, all will feel like they are part of something bigger and will be in tune with each other.

“Along with communication, it is also necessary to appreciate the team’s work and express gratitude on a timely basis. Always celebrate achievements, for when people are happy, the work environment is also happy.”

Claudia believes in a willingness to devote time, effort, and patience towards colleagues, peers, and the people around without expecting anything in return. This is the mantra she attempts to live by every day.

In Claudia’s opinion, empathy is one of the most important leadership qualities. The pandemic had us making quick working adjustments while dealing with professional and personal challenges. It was like managing a different work and life balance. Adding on, Claudia shares that empathy is like self-awareness, being able to place yourself in other people’s shoes. Empathy bonds people. It creates trust and the ability to express one’s respect and gratitude towards the other.

Next Vacation: Claudia will travel to her home country, Portugal, for a vacation. She has yet to try many of the new experience in her home country.