Portugal, the Pioneer in Sustainability Observatories in Tourist Regions

This initiative underscores Portugal’s commitment to positioning itself as one of the most competitive and sustainable tourist destinations globally. Find out how Portugal is pioneer in sustainability observatories.

The event took place at the Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism campus. The President of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, attended the event, along with representatives from the Autonomous Regions, Regional Tourism Entities, and various universities and polytechnic institutes that support these observatories.

The importance of sustainability in tourism

Sustainability in tourism is an increasingly relevant topic, especially as the environmental and social impacts of travel become more apparent. Tourist destinations around the world are recognizing the need to adopt practices that preserve the environment, support local communities, and ensure long-term economic viability. Responsible and sustainable behaviors in tourism not only protect natural and cultural resources but also enhance visitor experiences and benefit local populations.

In this context, the creation of sustainability observatories emerges as a fundamental strategy for continuously monitoring and evaluating sustainable tourism practices. It also plays a crucial role in improving these practices over time.

Objectives and benefits of the observatory network

Turismo de Portugal‘s primary goal with this network is to gain detailed knowledge about the impacts of tourism on the national territory, as well as to improve efficiency in destination planning and management.

The network of observatories promotes collaboration between different destinations in monitoring sustainability. It also encourages the adoption of good management practices at regional and local levels. Furthermore, it aims to foster co-creation actions and initiatives to disseminate sustainable practices.

History and International Recognition

This historic milestone is the result of a process that began in January 2018, when the Alentejo Sustainable Tourism Observatory (ASTO) was recognized by the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). In January 2020, two more observatories were recognized: the Azores Tourism Observatory and the Algarve Regional Observatory for Sustainable Tourism (AlgSTO).

Recently, the Centro Observatory was added to the list, bringing the total number of Portuguese observatories in the INSTO network to four.

Expansion and future of the network

By the end of this year, Portugal plans to submit applications to UN Tourism (UNWTO). Portugal will submit applications for the newly created observatories in the North, Lisbon, and Madeira regions to join the network.

INSTO is a network of observatories that aims to monitor the economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism in destinations. This initiative aligns with UNWTO’s commitment to promoting sustainable and resilient growth in the sector, using concrete data to guide tourism management.

The creation of the Network of Regional Sustainability Observatories places Portugal at the forefront of sustainable tourism. It highlights the country’s commitment to environmental preservation, social responsibility, and economic viability.

By continuously monitoring and assessing the impacts of tourism, Portugal not only improves the management of its destinations. It also serves as a model for other countries. This initiative strengthens Portugal’s image as a sustainable and competitive tourist destination. It prepares the country to face future challenges with innovative, data-driven solutions.

Source: Turismo de Portugal