As in the whole world, from the moment Portugal became a tourist destination, in the middle of the 20th century, began to open hotels in the main locations of the country.
At the beginning, in the best hotels, the reception, registration and information to the clients were carried out exclusively by concierges, and the concept of reception did not exist, that in the current molds, appeared later.
In 1971 arise the Golden Keys of Portugal, an association that brings together the best professionals of the sector, joining in 1972 the Union Internationale des Portiers des Grands Hôtels (currently Union International des Concierges d’Hôtels) – Les Clefs d’Or.
Due to restructuration needs (?) most hotels have ceased to have a concierge section, passing concierges to accumulate the mission of receptionist The exception is made in 5 star hotels and in the best international chains.
Nowadays there is a renewed demand for these professionals, who are becoming more important due to the need to offer customers of the new generations an increasingly personalized service focused on their current needs.
