Within the framework of the 33rd Luso-Spanish Summit that took place today in Viana do Castelo, the Ministry of Economy and the Sea and the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion of the Portuguese Republic signed with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of the Kingdom of Spain, a
memorandum of understanding on the 2022-2024 Sustainable Strategy for Cross-Border Tourism.
The
document (PT) thus lays the foundations for collaboration between the countries as part of the Luso-Spanish partnership, within the framework of Tourism and Territorial Cohesion, and formalises the commitment of the parties to strengthen their joint commitment to innovative tourism as an engine for the development and revitalisation of cross-border towns, in order to position the Iberian Peninsula as one of the most competitive and sustainable tourist destinations in the world.
The cooperation areas identified are Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Competitiveness, Innovation and Knowledge, Cohesion and Accessibility. The Strategy will be implemented in the six sub-regions of the Luso-Spanish border, namely: Northern Portugal - Galicia; Northern Portugal - Castile and Leon; Central Portugal - Castile and Leon; Central Portugal - Extremadura; Alentejo - Extremadura; and Algarve - Andalusia.
Within the framework of the 2022-2024 Sustainability Strategy for Cross-Border Tourism between Portugal and Spain and for the period in reference, actions are proposed to be developed on both sides of the border with an impact in four areas: destinations, products, human resources and external promotion. The actions to be implemented seek to promote the development of tourism products and experiences on the border that are a manifestation of the territorial peculiarities in the Border, as a meeting point of the culture, historical and natural heritage, gastronomy and handicrafts of the border populations.
The following areas of intervention are identified: cultural tourism (The Way of St. James and other European cultural routes; boosting the Castles and Border Fortresses Programme, among others); nature tourism (Nature parks, ornithological tourism and observation of fauna and flora, stars, etc.); active tourism (walking, cycling, active rivers); gastronomic tourism and wine tourism; and thermal tourism.
There is also a focus on the training of sector actors and research on cross-border tourism cooperation.
The Citânia de Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo was closed to host the 33rd Luso-Spanish Summit, chaired by the Prime Minister, António Costa, and the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez. Dedicated to Innovation, this meeting gives continuity to the deepening of bilateral relations, having brought together two dozen members of the Governments of the two countries.
