Tourism hopes new economy minister will prioritise the sector

The Portuguese Tourism Confederation (CTP) said on Thursday that it hopes the new minister for the economy and territorial cohesion will prioritise the tourism sector, considering that the creation of a “super-ministry” could “contribute to economic growth”.

The new government taking office today will have 16 ministries, one less than the previous one, and the Economy will be linked to the Territorial Cohesion portfolio, with Manuel Castro Almeida at the helm.

“In theory, the creation of a “super-ministry” that brings together the Economy and Territorial Cohesion may even be positive, as it could contribute to economic revitalisation, with the supervision of the main sectors of the economy and the management of the funds and support necessary for the development of strategic infrastructure, which are essential for the growth of the national economy, being integrated into the same ministry”.

Quoted in the statement, CTP President Francisco Calheiros expressed his expectation that in the new Ministry “Tourism will continue to be well regarded in terms of public policy and the resolution of important strategic issues that need to be urgently addressed for the good of the country.”

In the new government’s structure, the CTP also highlighted the creation of a Ministry of State Reform as a positive development.

“It has been a priority for the CTP to draw attention to the urgent need for a thorough reform of the state, so we welcome the creation of a specific ministry, which may already be a good sign that the reforms so necessary for the country will finally move forward,” said Francisco Calheiros.

The 25th Constitutional Government will take office today at 6 p.m., 18 days after the elections, which is the fastest process of forming a government in Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s presidential terms.