Recovery plan unveiled for tourism sector

Portugal’s tourism bureau, Turismo de Portugal today unveiled a return to business and recovery plan for the sector.

Handed over to the Strategic Council for Overseas Tourism Promotion (CEPT), the plan rests on the pillars of sustainability and digitalisation according to the document.
“One of the key pillars of the tourism promotion strategy for 2021 is sustainability, including campaigns and initiatives aimed at creating ‘responsible tourism’ that will reflect the goals for sustainable development.”
“In this sense, and as part of a communication focused on a change in paradigm in tourist demand, and with the goal of reinforcing the perception of Portugal as a sustainable destination, we have today launched a challenge to our main tourist source markets (Spain, UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, Brazil and the US) called #CantSkipTomorrow,” stated a government source after the CEPT presentation which involved representatives from various tourism and government entities.
Furthermore, the plan includes “boosting digitalisation in promotional activities, particularly in the greater use of digital technology used in aligning marketing cooperation between the Regional Agencies for Tourism Promotion (ARPTs) and the main organisation Tourism de Portugal” as well as expanding the content ecosystem shared on digital platforms.”
The same document also indicates the Recovery Plan for 2021 “also takes into consideration the importance of air connections as a priority, stimulating tourism operations, creating commercial offer in terms of differentiated tourism products that foster territorial cohesion and attracting national and international ‘trade’”.
“In 2021, the priorities will be developing and promoting synergies with companies and an alignment with and between regional destinations, as well as ensuring an ongoing accompaniment of markets in a way that is agile, flexible, cooperative, responsive and fast, so that we can take advantage of opportunities from tourism demand as they arise,” said the Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira.
In turn, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, pointed to a “strategy that is flexible and which can adapt to demand and travel trends, while at the same time providing a clear branded platform which reflects and reiterates its values, i.e., sustainability and which aims to contribute towards the good of all.”
In December, Rita Marques said that the Government wanted to launch a European Strategy for the Tourism Sector to 2050 during Portugal’s Presidency of the European Union Council.
“We have a mission for EUPP21 which is that during our presidency of the EU we can launch a European strategy for the tourism sector to 2050,” said Rita Marques at a hearing of the parliamentary commission for the Economy, Innovation, Public Works and Housing, at the Portuguese Parliament.
The Secretary of State for Tourism said it would be “very positive” if Portugal could, during its presidency, ensure that Europe maintains its edge as the “most competitive tourism destination in the world.”