Lisbon, March 8, 2021 (Lusa) – The Directors of Tourism of the European Union (EU) on Monday discussed how digital and innovation can help the sector recover, in a meeting, by videoconference, sponsored by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In a statement, the Ministry of Economy said that "the debate was the highlight in the third of four initiatives in the area of Tourism of the Portuguese presidency.

At the meeting, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, reaffirmed the "commitment and determination to boost the recovery of tourism and make this sector, this ecosystem, a leader in the development and prosperity of Europe.

For Rita Marques, "the great emphasis is on sustainable recovery. Environmental, social and economic sustainability must be" a common goal, from governments to operators to community-based organisations and tourists".

"This is a shared responsibility and we must work together," she indicated.

In the framework of the digital transition "it is essential to think, promote innovative businesses, developing digital skills and encouraging the use of technology in strategic and operational management", she advocated.

This meeting of directors, "responsible for implementing policies and measures, focused on innovation and the digital economy, as pillars for the future of the tourism ecosystem, by projecting the opportunity to improve work methodologies, cooperation networks and strengthening of a global position," the minister said.

According to the government, prior to the event, "a virtual meeting of experts was held to discuss the role of data in re-establishing the competitiveness of the tourism sector, particularly with regard to the potential of 'Big Data' resources.

The high-level forum on Sustainability and Tourism will take place in May.

ALYN/AYLS // AYLS

Lusa