The Strategic Council for Tourism Promotion (CEPT) met on 20 June 2023, in Porto, having presented the guidelines for access of the regional tourism promotion agencies to the additional allocation of 5 million euros for the implementation of Extraordinary External Promotion Plans. The announcement was made by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services, Nuno Fazenda.
To be implemented by the 7 Regional Tourism Promotion Agencies (ARPT), to reinforce the operation of Portuguese companies in external markets, the allocation now announced is part of a strategy for the sustainable growth of national tourism at a global level.
This CEPT meeting, held outside Lisbon, marks the first official event attended for the first time by the new Board of Directors of Turismo de Portugal, also signalling the importance of proximity with regional destinations.
The meeting highlighted the tourism results of the first 4 months of 2023. In comparison with the same period of 2019, the numbers prove the contribution of Tourism to the recovery of the national economy, reflected, among other records, in the increase in the number of overnight stays (14.2%), in the increase in the guests indicator (15.1%) and in the revenue generated (43%). Regarding the contribution of the markets to this performance, the main source countries were, in this order, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France and the United States.
The focus on markets that allow for greater growth in value and in reducing seasonality will also be one of the strategic priorities to be followed this year, with particular emphasis on mature markets - United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France - where the intention is to strengthen conversion into sales. In the growth and diversification markets, awareness of Portugal and its regional destinations will be reinforced, along with more selective action and opportunities.
The CEPT therefore keeps, at the top of its strategic priorities, the growth of tourism activity, through initiatives that enhance the internationalisation of Portuguese companies and brands. The objective is to strengthen the role of tourism as a factor of territorial and social cohesion of the country, through the reinforcement of the promotion of regional tourist destinations.
