WTTC applauds Portugal’s commitment to tourism

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has welcomed Portugal’s commitment to the prioritisation of the Travel & Tourism sector as an engine of economic growth in the country.

Meeting with tourism officials in Lisbon, Gloria Guevara Manzo, president and CEO of WTTC, said: “Tourism is an important sector for Portugal’s economy, contributing over 16 per cent of GDP and one in five jobs. The Portuguese government has rightly recognised the important role tourism can play in economic prosperity and job creation.

“I congratulate the Minister of Economy, Manuel Caldeira Cabral, Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes, and the President of Tourism Portugal, Luis Araújo, for their achievements so far and they can count on our support as they continue on this path.”

Growth trigger

Manzo also acknowledged that the Portuguese government has developed excellent relations between the public and private sectors, helping to trigger the growth of the sector.

“Portugal is trendy and needs to continue to maintain momentum to maximise its growth as we estimate that at the current rate of progression, another 100,000 jobs will be created,” she added.

“I am delighted that we have identified a common agenda to tackle some of the future challenges together, which include ensuring safe, secure and seamless travel through the increased use of biometrics and ensuring growth is sustainable through excellent planning and management, which involves public and private sector as well as communities.”

The Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes, will be a speaker at the upcoming WTTC Global Summit that takes in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 18-19 April 2018.