Year 2024
Madeira Friends travelled to Morocco to take part in the Taghazout Surf Expo, a leading international event in Africa dedicated to surf culture, digital nomadism, and sustainable tourism. Held over four days, the expo brought together more than 80 projects and over 40,000 participants — including researchers, tour operators, digital nomad community leaders, and world-renowned surfers.
From insightful pitches and keynote talks to panel discussions and networking sessions, the event offered a rich space for knowledge exchange and cross-cultural dialogue. Central to the agenda were themes of sustainability, innovation in tourism, and the importance of integrating and empowering local communities.
One of the highlights was the presentation of academic studies exploring the intersection of surfing and digital nomadism — a growing trend in many coastal destinations worldwide. These conversations aligned closely with the core mission of Madeira Friends: to support remote workers and international residents while creating positive impact in the local context.
Luís Calado, who represented Madeira Friends at the event, reflected on the experience:
“When we received the invitation from the Surf Expo’s scientific committee to travel to Morocco, it was a surprise — but also a clear sign that the work Madeira is doing is gaining global attention. Morocco is making a strong push to position itself as a hub for surfing and remote work, and we were glad to share our vision, journey, and what has worked well for us.”
He added: “Each destination has its own unique potential. In Madeira, we have the levadas, the mountains, and deep connections to nature. In Taghazout, it’s the waves. There’s a natural overlap between surfers and remote workers, and the local stakeholders in Morocco are clearly aware of the opportunities if they adapt certain parts of their tourism offer.”
The event served as an opportunity not only to share Madeira’s story and exchange best practices, but also to establish new international connections and collaborations.
“Being able to represent Madeira at the roundtables alongside other community leaders, academics, tour operators, and government institutions was something we’re truly proud of,” Luís said. “It was a strong validation of the work we’ve been doing on the island — and a reminder that we’re part of a bigger global movement shaping the future of tourism, lifestyle, and community.”