Lisbon, Sept. 29, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese president has called for the development of a medium and long-term strategy for a «new phase» in tourism in Portugal, featuring balanced and sustainable growth, territorial cohesion and better wages.

António José Seguro, speaking at the closing session of the 8th Portuguese Tourism Summit at a hotel in Lisbon on Monday evening, said that «this strategic vision also requires structural decisions» regarding the new Lisbon airport and the future of flag carrier TAP.

«These are matters that require vision, planning and the ability to deliver. They cannot be dealt with solely on the basis of immediate needs or financial gains», he argued.

In his speech, the president highlighted tourism as «a success story for the Portuguese economy in recent decades», but considered that this «does not preclude reflection on the path ahead», taking into account not only its benefits but also its negative effects.

«When the concentration of tourists exceeds the capacity of local areas, infrastructure and services to cope, problems arise that cannot be ignored. The pressure on housing, transport, the environment, public services and the quality of the tourist experience itself demands concrete solutions,» he said.

According to Seguro, we need to consider the «model of tourism competitiveness» we want for «the next 10 to 20 years», and «new times call for new responses» and «a new ambition», with the challenge being not only to grow, but to «ensure that growth benefits the country and is compatible with the quality of life of the Portuguese people».

«The challenge we now face is different and more demanding. We need to ensure that tourism continues to grow in a competitive, balanced and sustainable manner. A form of tourism capable of generating greater wealth, creating quality jobs, providing better wages, attracting investment and reinvestment, and contributing to the cohesion of the country,» he explained.

Portugal must have «a tourism sector that makes the most of the country's resources, respects local communities and preserves the heritage that forms an essential part of our identity» and «which is a source of pride not only for those who visit us, but also for those who live and work here», he added.

Seguro emphasised that his term as president is guided by the conviction that the country «must be able to think and act with a medium- and long-term perspective, whilst continuing to respond to the urgent needs of the present».

After commending the Portuguese Tourism Confederation, the organiser of this event, for its work in promoting Portugal, and thanking the sector for its contribution to the economy, employment, the balance of payments and the sustainability of the social security system, the President proposed that the model to be followed in the future be rethought.

«My call is clear: Portuguese tourism needs a new ambition. An ambition that is not limited to seizing the opportunities that still exist, but which prepares the country for the challenges that are already on the horizon. An ambition that brings public policy and private initiative together in a medium and long-term strategy. An ambition based on economic, social and environmental sustainability,» he declared.

He highlighted territorial cohesion, environmental sustainability, investment in skills – making the most of the potential of young Portuguese people – and enhancement of wages as the cornerstones of this strategy.

«Improving pay must be an ambition embraced by the sector, alongside the profitability of investments and the ability to attract capital. There can be no lasting competitiveness without sustainable businesses, but nor can there be lasting competitiveness without valued, skilled and fairly paid professionals,» he argued.

Furthermore, Seguro held sector leaders and policymakers responsible for taking action in light of tourism's impact on community life, urban planning, «access to housing, the use of natural resources and the relationship between residents and visitors».

«It is not enough to identify the benefits of each decision. It is also necessary to anticipate its negative effects and find ways to prevent, correct or even eliminate them,» he argued.

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