en 
“That's what we want. It is very clear to us at the level of public policy, in line with Turismo de Portugal, that Portugal has to be the most sustainable country in the world”, said Rita Marques.
In her view, for this to happen, there must be “many headings” in that direction, with catering, tourist entertainment and hotel companies working to obtain the Biosphere certification (which certifies sustainable tourism).
“The important thing is that we make a difference, because, in order to continue to grow in value, we have to be many, it is not enough by decree or imposition of Turismo de Portugal to claim that we are the most sustainable country in the world. We have to make a concerted effort,” she stressed.
Rita Marques said that “tourism is not sold just because Portugal has extraordinary assets: idyllic landscapes, a wonderful sea and genuinely delicious cuisine”.
“We have to work from a different perspective and professionalise this work, orienting it towards major trends”, she stressed, adding that “today, sustainability is something that is positively evaluated by the client” and, therefore, must be worked on in the its three dimensions, namely economic, environmental and social.
Not a cheap destination
According to the Secretary of State, “Portugal has not been a cheap destination for several years”, exemplifying that, despite receiving “half of the tourists that Greece receives”, it has “exactly the same tourist income”.
“We have a very interesting tourist revenue per tourist and growing in a very evident way. We have a very tangible goal which is to reach 2027 with 28 billion euros of tourist revenue,” she added.
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It's funny because Portugal has been an probably will continue to be one of the less sustainable countries in Europe, always behind due to resistance to change, even this statement made about tourist sustainability is due by many years.
By Filipe from Lisbon on 19 May 2022, 18:04
Tourism can only be sustainable if it fits naturally into the social, cultural, economic and environmental frameworks of the region. Under no circumstances should it strain or exploit the limited natural resources available for the resident population (energy, water, recreational areas).
By Annie from Algarve on 20 May 2022, 11:26
It's not sustainable until there are decent links to the rest of Europe by high-speed rail. Short-haul flights aren't sustainable. Building a new airport next to a protected area to increase the quantity of them is an even less sustainable idea.
By Josh from Lisbon on 20 May 2022, 12:18
Judging from my recent interactions with my local camara on a planning permission, the statement by the tourism minister is 1) too late, and 2) a joke.
I am trying for planning permission to renovate 2 old buildings and their services to accommodating 80% solar power, 60% water recycling and remove all gas-power. Gas supply is still mandatory by the council to approve the plans. Why is the outdated, sometimes unsafe, and expensive high-carbon source still being insisted on? To protect big energy.
To make this happen I am willing to put in the investment, but the power suppliers do not play fair in Portugal, and offer nothing (or near to nothing) as return when I try to sell my excess power (100% carbon-free supply back to them. This is a simple case of vested interests trying to keep their monopoly and consumer dependency.
There is simply no incentive to become more sustainable, however I will go it alone, as one day Portugal will make the 10-year leap to actually modernise the laws.
In some ways Portugal is quite sustainable from a food point of view, as local produce makes up a good percentage of the food we buy, although it could go further by banning single-use plastics!
This is not just a personal gripe, as one day I wish to offer tourist accommodation (in a tourist impoverished local economy) at a zero increase to the carbon footprint. Additionally it is a professional gripe: I currently advise 4 other governments on sustainable tourism development strategy and policy, and I can tell you the Tourism Minister is right when saying Portugal needs to sell itself as a sustainable destination, but it has a very long way to getting the cooperation of other ministries and law-makers to achieve this.
By Tony Williams from Other on 20 May 2022, 12:27
Tony Williams makes excellent points, however, most of the food in Portugal is imported. Portugal does not produce sufficient food; it only cares about taxing people to death and to sell tourism. Betting everything on seasonal employment (Portugal's tourist industry is severely out-dated) is not the way to develop a country.
By K from Algarve on 21 May 2022, 11:30