Government plans 20% increase in numbers working in tourism

  • Lusa
  • 27 March 2023

This agenda, which is still under construction, aims to make Portugal the reference destination to study and work in the tourism sector.

The Portuguese ministry of the economy on Monday launched an initiative with 20 measures, such as the plan to modernise the network of hotel schools, to increase by 20% the number of workers in the tourism sector.

The agenda for the tourism professions was presented today by the secretary of state for tourism, commerce and services, Nuno Fazenda.

“This is a strategic agenda, with 20 measures, which aims to increase by 10% the number of tourism professionals with secondary and higher education, to increase by 15% the number of students in tourism at all levels of education and to increase by 20% the number of people employed in the sector,” the ministry of economy and maritime affairs said in a statement.

These measures include the national plan for modernisation and specialisation of the hotel and tourism school network, implementation of the international tourism academy, the benefits programme for tourism professionals, increased funding for companies with good labour and training practices, internationalisation of companies and brands, boosting training and campaigns to value tourism professions.

This agenda, which is still under construction, aims to make Portugal the reference destination to study and work in the tourism sector.

“Valuing the sector’s professionals is essential if we are to have more and better tourism. Investing in people, in increasing their qualifications, income and recognition, is a strategic focus to prepare the future of a growing activity. This is also an agenda with action to meet the present challenges. To achieve the objectives and goals presented in this agenda, the mobilisation and involvement of everyone will be fundamental”, said Nuno Fazenda, quoted in the same statement.

The presentation session of this agenda also included the ministers of economy and maritime affairs, António Costa Silva, of labour and social security, Ana Mendes Godinho, and of education, João Costa, who were joined by a panel of professionals from the sector.