“If it were not for the continued growth of tourism, one of the few sectors in Portugal whose policies are not subject to major changes despite changes in government, the Portuguese economy would likely stagnate.”
This idea was shared by former Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas, who was one of the participating speakers at the 16th National Congress of the Heavy Passenger Transport Association.(ARP), which was held in Braga last weekend and which I reported Publishing.
Speaking to around 200 ARP members, some of whom are linked to tourist transport, Paulo Portas shared some thoughts on the geoeconomic and geopolitical trends that could affect the passenger transport sector, tourism and the Portuguese economy in general, highlighting the importance of tourism as a sector and one of the main reasons for the growth of the economy. National growth rate increased by 2% this year, which is a higher rate of growth than the European economy. “Tourism is on track to contribute 20% of Portuguese GDP, which is absolutely exceptional,” he commented.
Paulo Portas believes that foreign tourists visiting Portugal should be treated well. “We are not rich and giving a push to wealth creation would not be a very smart thing to do,” he said, adding that the sector’s growth trend is expected to continue: “Tourism continues to increase and there is no indication otherwise, barring a global crisis.
