Tourism in Portugal:

hell or paradise?
Prof. Ana Firmino

New University of Lisbon/FCSH

Department of Geography & Regional
Planning
am.firmino@fcsh.unl.pt
 Plan of the Presentation

 Introduction
 Importance of Tourism in the World
 The cluster Tourism in Portugal
 Social, Economic and Environmental
Impacts
 Sustainable Tourism
 Ecotourism
 Conclusion
2
 Tourism in the World
 Tourism is the first industry in the world,
representing more than 12% of the
International GDP;
 It generates more than 200 millions jobs;

 1950 :::> 25 Millions Tourists

 2000 :::> 697 Millions
 2010 :::> 1 Billion
 2020 :::> 1,6 Billions
Source: Rimsky-Korsakoff (2003), p. 220

3
 International Tourism Receipts
(Billions of Euros)

600

500
Europe
400
Asia + Pacific
300 Americas
Africa
200
Middle East
100 Total

0
2002 2003 2004 2005
Source: WTO

4
 Inbound Tourism by purpose of
visit and by means of transport
2005
 50% Leisure, recreation and holidays
 26% Health, religion, other
 16% Business and professional
 8% Not specified

 45% by air, 43% by road,

7% boat, 5% rail

Source: UNWTO

5
 North

Centre
Lisbon

Alentejo

Algarve

6
 Attributes of Portugal for
Tourists
 Climate
 Landscapes’ Mosaïque
 People’s Hospitality (cosmopolitan feeling)
 Excellent Gastronomy and wines
 Cultural and Historical Heritage
 Extension of the coastline and quality of the
beaches (Blue Flags)
 Sport Activities (Football and Golf)
 Safety

7
 Tourists by country of
Residence (thousands)
ousands
12000 Spain
Belgium
10000
France
8000 Germany
Holland
6000 Ireland
Italy
4000
Portuguese
2000 Sweden
USA
0 UK
2003 2004 2005
Others
Total Foreig.
Total 8
Source: INE
 % of Nights in the Regions
2005

 ALGARVE (South): 39% of the total nights in

the country.
 LISBON: 20%
 MADEIRA (Island) ~15,0%
 North ~10%
 Centre ~10%
 Azores (Islands) 3,2% (+ 148% British and 60%
from Spain)
 Alentejo: 2,6% (+ 55,1% Dutch who represent
12% of the total, after Spanish tourists = 22%)

9
Source: INE
 Tourism in the Nature

 19 400 Km2 of protected areas

 13 Natural Parks
 1 National Park
 6 Protected Landscapes
 5 Natural Museums

10
Azores Islands

11
Azores: Pico Island seen from S. Jorge

12
 Health and Well Being

 38 Thermal areas
 13 Spas
 850 Kms coastline
 More than 400 beaches
 Sun
 Surf, diving, fishing, hunting
 34 marines and harbours

13
About 850 Kms of
coastline

14
 Cultural and Landscape
Touring
 14 UNESCO Classifications (World
Heritages, for instance Douro Valley);
 8 Centuries of History;
 Unique Flavours (Denomination of
Origin) Among 540 European products,
78 are Portuguese (15%);
 Routes (Wine, Olive Oil, Cork; Lace and
Filigree)
 Handicraft (ceramics, embroideries) Folk
festivals
15
Douro Valley: World Heritage
16
17
18
 19
Loures: Municipality North of Lisbon
20
S.Miguel Island: Azores
21
Azores: S. Miguel
22
Golf and Integrated Resorts

 More than 70 golf fields in the Nature

 300 000 players/year
 Established Golf Destination in 2005

23
 Environmental Impacts

 Decrease of Biodiversity (greens, grass

monoculture)
 Intensive Use of Chemicals
 Overexploitation of the watertable
 Destruction of habitats (Alqueva dam,
Sabor river, Natura 2000 sites)
 Disrespect for the carrying capacity of
the ecosystems …

24
 Economic Impacts

 Loose of attractiveness due to the destruction

of landscapes (killing the golden eggs chicken)
 Increase of imported goods to match new diets
and life styles (the American way of life)
 Disarray in the Portuguese productive sector
(namely the rural sector)
 Disappearance of the traditional retail in favour
of franchising (shopping malls, McDonalds,
restaurants along the IP’s, etc)

25
 Cultural and Social Impacts

 Loose of Identity (what is foreign is better?)

Campaign “Made here, bought here”;
 Change in the diets (lost of the gastronomic
diversity and excellence);
 Health problems (obesity, cancer, diabetes II);
 Seasonal part-time jobs, exploitation of
immigrant labour (predominance of Brazilians);
 Architectural conflicts with the traditional
materials and designs.

26
 Definition of Sustainable Tourism
(according to WTO)
It is a way of managing all the resources which will
enable the satisfaction of the economic, esthetical
and social needs, preserving simultaneously the
cultural integrity, the ecosystems and the
biodiversity.
The sustainable tourism relies on the definition of
sustainable development, i.e. long term ecological
sustainability, economic viability and ethic and
social equity of the local populations.
27
 Definition of Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a responsible way of

travelling in the natural spaces,
contributing to the protection of the
environment and to the well being of the
local populations.
Source: International Ecotourism Society

EcoAgroTourism:
“Beirambiente” (www.beirambiente.pt/guiaverde.htm)
“Paralelo 40” (www.paralelo40.org)

28
 Rural Tourism in Portugal

 ~ 35% of the Total Tourism

 ~ 3,5% of Rural Tourism in the organic

farms

 Programs: LEADER, EQUAL, PITER

29
30
 31
Azores: Terceira Island
32
33