The Portuguese National Tourist Board is promoting its commitment to FUTOURISM, which means tourism of the future.
At a dinner held at the Portuguese Ambassador’s residence on March 14, Ambassador Vitor Sereno said, “Tourism is a beneficial economic activity for most countries, not only bringing in income, but also promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding among diverse populations. Portugal is no exception: last year, tourism accounted for 12.7% of GDP, 20% of total exports, and 48.6% of services exports; 2023 surpassed the record set in 2019, marking a historic milestone for Portuguese tourism”.
He added, “As a country strongly aware of the importance of tourism, we are committed to focusing on the sustainability of this important sector. We focus not on past successes, but on future tourism and future tourists. We aim to preserve traditions, fight inequality, promote economic development in underdeveloped areas, and establish ourselves as one of the most sustainable destinations in the world”.
Next, Ines Queiroz, Director General of the Tourism Bureau of the Portuguese National Tourist Board for Japan and Korea, explained the world view of FUTOURISM.
The Tourism Bureau launched the #IT’S NOT TOURISM. IT’S FUTOURISM campaign on January 1, 2024. They hope to change the mindset of travelers by setting 12 recommendations for future travelers and deepening their understanding of these recommendations.
#1 Engage deeply, not indifferently.
#2 Real, not virtual
#3 No one’s property but yours
#4 Unique, not standard
#5 Local, not global
#6 Sea, not waves
#7 Green, not gray
#8 Be humble, not irreverent
#9 Trendsetter, not trendy
#10 Compassion, not laziness
#11 Immersing yourself in time
#12 Humanity, not artificiality
Regarding Japan, he said, “Even at this point in time, when the effects of the new Corona are being contained, the Japanese have not yet returned to travel. Japan is a very important market for Europe and for us in Portugal,” he said, noting that “there are many similarities between Japan and Portugal.
He explained that there is a global need to revitalize local economies by attracting people to small villages and nature in rural areas and traveling to such places rather than large cities, and that it is important to respect the activities, traditions, and nature of the people of the destination, and that FUTOURISM is an expression of this.
He then touted his recommendations for stargazing, birdwatching, pre-founding villages, some 4,000 km of trails, and a UNESCO-recognized geopark.
© Source travel watch