Tourism: "Portugal opens a new chapter"

Portugal lifted most restrictions on October 1.

How do you see the situation evolving in the coming months?

We are very optimistic.

Indeed, since October 1, the health pass is no longer compulsory to go to tourist accommodation or to dine at a restaurant on weekends.

We have worked hard to bring about this lifting of the restrictions.

Portugal today has one of the best vaccination rates in the world.

From April 2020, at the heart of the pandemic, we had been working on processes and a “Portugal clean and safe” label which makes visible the seriousness of health protocols in more than 23 areas to reassure tourists.

When Portugal assumed the presidency of the European Union [

], we also worked in this direction and succeeded in bringing about the European Covid certificate which is now deployed to facilitate travel.

A chapter opens, which leads us to a new normal.

Read also Travel to Portugal and Covid-19: easing of restrictions on October 1, health pass ... What you need to know for this fall

What was the purpose of your coming to France, on the occasion of the Top Résa show?

Share our optimism and announce some good news, such as the new service that Transavia will provide to the Azores [

].

Concretely, we are in the deployment phase of our strategic plan for tourism, drawn up in 2017, which retains all its meaning in view of our three priorities.

First of all, we are working to develop year-round tourism, which is not limited to the summer season and the beaches.

Hiking in the Azores, cycling in the south of Portugal ...

Read alsoCycling: five routes to explore the Algarve by bike

Then, Portugal is not limited to Lisbon, many regions are to be discovered throughout the country, which remain little known while showing great potential in terms of tourist aspirations: wide open spaces, practices close to nature, culinary quality, wine tourism. , sense of hospitality ... Our last priority is to expand our tourist target to North and South Americans, for example.

Rita Marques, Secretary of State for Tourism of Portugal.

Press photo

What is your summer tourism report?

Very positive, in that our visitors enjoyed their stay.

We have not yet returned to the attendance and income levels of 2019, a year in which tourism-related revenue exceeded 18 billion euros.

This sector should generate a turnover of 9 billion euros this year.

We will return to our pre-pandemic levels within 2 years maximum.

It may sound a long time ago and yet we are very optimistic.

You have already seen the return of major business events, such as the 1st sustainable tourism forum in Evora in September, or the Lisbon Web summit, which returns in early November.