Tourism may be one of Portugal’s greatest success stories and livelihoods – but it mustn’t come at the expense of the people who actually live here. This was the message from the head of national tourism authority, Turismo de Portugal, as the country marked World Tourism Day on September 27.
In a statement, the tourism board said the sector is not only a driver of the economy but also a force with “social, cultural and political impact worldwide” that must be steered toward meeting global Sustainable Development Goals.
“Our main goal is find the right balance between tourism growth and residents’ quality of life, ensuring the sector delivers a net positive impact,” the organisation stressed. In other words, the tourism authority is focusing on smarter management of destinations, dispersing visitor flows beyond the usual hotspots (and helping create wealth and employment in every region of the country), and boosting investment in training, green infrastructure and innovation.
Recent steps include financing 37 projects in Portugal’s interior, designed to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in regions far from the main tourist trail.
For Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal, the message is simple: “Tourism is positive if it is good for people. Our goal is to make this industry a catalyst for positive impacts on communities, the environment and the territories where it operates.”
He pointed to initiatives such as the “Empresas Turismo 360º” program, which helps businesses integrate ESG principles into their operations.
“The big objective is to ensure tourism stands as a force for positive transformation in our society, a pillar of economic growth and national cohesion, and a guardian that protects and brings value to our country’s unique resources,” Abade said.
Ultimately, he added, the tourism authority’s ambition is to “a sector that makes all Portuguese proud, inspires those who visit us, and positions Portugal among the top 10 most competitive tourism destinations in the world.”
