President Marcelo expresses ‘optimism’ for Portugal’s tourism
Portugal’s president has expressed optimism that tourism will continue to overcome challenges, considering that the economic situation is less difficult than imagined a year ago, but more difficult than desired.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa took part by video in the opening of the 34th National Hotel and Tourism Congress, organised by the Hotel Association of Portugal (AHP), in Funchal (Madeira).
“I’m sorry not to be with you today because your congress is taking place at what is a very important moment for the Portuguese economy. It is important because the international context is not easy. It is not easy in geopolitical terms, with two wars and another open conflict. It is not easy in economic terms. The economic costs of this geopolitical situation on major economies, such as China. But above all, as far as Europe is concerned,” he said, giving the example of the German economy, “which is not getting off the ground”.
Even so, he said he believes the economic situation “will therefore be less difficult than we imagined half a year ago, but more difficult than we would have wished for everyone”.
And in this context, Portugal has an opportunity.
“We are close to what is European integration, but far from the areas of tension, far from the most problematic regions, which is an advantage in tourism terms,” he said.
These next few months “are going to be decisive. But aren’t there political cycles in between that can overlap and interrupt, jeopardise? My answer is no. There are cycles at different times, but these cycles are lived and must be lived with constitutional normality. And above all, with economic and social normality”.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa once again praised the ability of the sector’s players to reinvent themselves, always anticipating problems and responding with great determination.
“That’s why I’m optimistic (…) I’m optimistic about your big meeting in Madeira. A big embrace to you all, with the certainty that this year too the challenges for Portuguese tourism, or for the Portuguese economy and Portugal, will be met,” he concludede.
The AHP national congress has 500 participants and runs until Friday under the theme “Horizon 20-30”.
LUSA
