With regard to
multilateral cooperation, the framework for tourism activity is provided internationally by several organisations of which Portugal is a member:
– The European Commission's Tourism Unit, an internal structure to promote dialogue with representatives of the tourism sector;
– The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations agency for matters relating to tourism.
– The Tourism Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a structure that conducts studies and research into the economic aspect of tourism;
– The European Travel Commission (ETC), a European association whose members are national tourism promotion organisations from across Europe;
– The Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), which promotes political/diplomatic consultation and cooperation between its members.
- The WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry.
Portugal is a member of the 5+5 Dialogue forum, along with the Mediterranean countries. This informal forum brings together the ten Western Mediterranean countries: the five countries in southern Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Malta and Portugal) and the five countries in North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia).
The Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government is the privileged space for consultation with the Americas. It aims to promote cooperation and development between the Ibero-American countries. The tourism sector meetings first began in 2001 and are organised by the member of the Government responsible for tourism. The last meeting was the 11th Ibero-American Conference of Tourism Ministers, held in Asunción, Paraguay, in May 2011.
The Macau Forum, which focuses on bringing China closer to the countries of the CPLP, is a privileged forum for dialogue with Asian nations.
More recently Turismo de Portugal became a member of the International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO).
