Tourism: an engine of growth

Source: Vida Imobiliária Magazine

The tourist property market is doing well and is recommended. Although not without its challenges, the sector has strong fundamentals and anticipates maintaining robust growth levels, promising to continue to be one of the main drivers of Portuguese economic growth.

With demand consistently recovering from the pre-pandemic, on the supply side, efforts to qualify and renew stock are evident, with the national market attracting increasing levels of investment, helping Portugal to continue to position itself as one of the most sustainable and competitive destinations in Europe. Portugal wants to be «one of the most competitive destinations in the world».

Working towards sustainability is a guarantee of the future of tourism

Tourism is a key element for the country's sustainable development, not only in economic terms but also in social and environmental terms. Therefore, working towards sustainability in these three areas is also the guarantor of the future of the sector.

In this opinion forum, we invited entrepreneurs and specialists in the sector to reflect on «How to raise the standard of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) in Portuguese tourism?». And, the answers leave no room for doubt: sustainable tourism is one that bets on quality, that promotes better living conditions and wages for its employees, that contributes to the preservation of the environment, the rehabilitation of historical heritage, and the dispersion of traveler flows, decentralizing the offer and creating experiences that create wealth locally.

Jordi Vilanova, President of Mercan Properties:

"We are currently in full implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which reserves for tourism, as an industry in constant development, highly contributory to job creation and, in Portugal, an important engine of the national economy, a very important role. relevant to the full implementation of this agenda and objectives. Considering the important role of Tourism in Portugal, and its significant contribution (8%) to the national GDP, it seems to me essential that this sector be one of the main promoters of the harmonization of environmental, social and cultural resources, with respect for local communities , tourists and, above all, the environment. Portugal, as a diverse tourist destination, with vast natural beauty, thus presents, in the field of sustainability, an advantage over other markets and, at the same time, a greater responsibility in the pursuit of these objectives. In order to raise commitment and accelerate the path towards 100% sustainable tourism, it is important, firstly, to educate agents on the ground, appealing to the importance of instilling sustainable practices and, secondly, to implement them, through principles and mechanisms sustainability, such as the use of renewable energies, environmental preservation, responsible consumption of resources and, finally, establishing sustainability as a fundamental criterion in the classification of hotel assets". 

Read the full interview, here!