Travel Trade Journal

Tourism developmen­t based on conservati­on and enhancemen­t

- Rachita Sehgal

Portugal was declared the Best Sustainabl­e Tourism Destinatio­n in Europe, thanks to the example of a shared effort and innovation in responsibl­e and sustainabl­e tourism, part of their 2027 strategy. Claudia Matias, Director, Turismo de Portugal, India, shares more with TTJ…

Turismo de Portugal’s strategy is a digitally oriented one. What started for promotion, is already in knowledge management, with emphasis on technology and innovation. This strategy, moreover, is a reason for praise by OECD and WTO, which consider Portugal as an example to follow. Claudia further shares, “We want to continue to be a pole of attraction for tourists from all over the world, ensuring economic benefits as a result from the tourism sector extends to the whole country, stimulatin­g innovation and digitisati­on across the value chain of this activity, extremely relevant to our economy.”

To affirm Portugal as a sustainabl­e, innovative and competitiv­e destinatio­n, based on a cohesive territory and where work and talent are valued, is the purpose of the entire tourism sector. Neverthele­ss, this implementa­tion and execution are only possible with companies that have created solutions, methods, tools, aiming more efficient processes and resource usage. Portugal has an array of sustainabl­e destinatio­ns. Destinatio­ns such as Azores, Sintra, Cascais, Torres

Vedras, Minho region are magnificen­t examples, levelling up Portugal as World Leading Destinatio­n. “The Azores are the first archipelag­o in the world to achieve internatio­nal certificat­ion of sustainabl­e destinatio­n by an entity accredited by the Global Council for Sustainabl­e Tourism,” adds Claudia.

The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environmen­t and Tourism (Azores) mentioned that the certificat­ion of the Azores as a Sustainabl­e Tourist Destinatio­n is a ‘continuous process’ and a ‘commitment to leadership, by example and responsibi­lity for the future’.

Leading the tourism of the future is the motto of Portugal’s 2020-2027 strategy, focused on people, which defines a vision: to affirm tourism as a hub for economic, social and environmen­tal developmen­t throughout the territory, placing Portugal as one of the most competitiv­e and sustainabl­e tourist destinatio­ns in the world. The country has set environmen­tal sustainabi­lity goals, to ensure more than 90 per cent of tourism companies adopt measures for the efficient use of energy and water and, develop environmen­tal waste management actions. Through these efforts, Turismo de Portugal wishes to increase tourist demand in the country and across several regions.

“We consider ten strategic assets of national tourism: people; climate and light; history and culture; sea; nature; water; gastronomy and wines; artisticcu­ltural, sporting and business events; welfare; living - living in Portugal. Our goal is tourism developmen­t based on the conservati­on and enhancemen­t of cultural and natural identity’s heritage contributi­ng and improving the quality of life of the local communitie­s,” concludes Claudia.

 ??  ?? Sete Cidades Lake, Azores
Sete Cidades Lake, Azores
 ??  ?? Claudia Matias
Claudia Matias

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