traveler
October 22nd, 2006, 03:02 AM
Quality & environment are trump cards
Portugal’s trump card in the highly competitive European tourism market is to sell quality and environmental conservation, says Andre Jordan. Andrzej Franciszek Spitzman Jordan, a Polish World War ll refugee who settled in Portugal , is one of the country’s most respected tourism developers. He first developed Quinta do Lago and the new Vilamoura projects on the Algarve. In a lengthy interview Andre Jordan has outlined his views on where the country’s tourism industry should be headed. He said Portugal should invest in high-grade real-estate tourism development and major quality projects. Global markets for tourism projects are much more competitive than 10 or 20 years ago. “Portugal must compete on the high-quality, low-density and environmental conservation market, carefully preserved environments are good business…. we in Portugal … recognise the need to respect the environment”, he said. Portugal must accept the importance that major tourism projects represent to the economy and act speedily to approve and implement these. “Those who fear that tourism is going to take over the role of and replace all other important economic sectors in the country, are simply wrong” he said. Portugal must seize and develop a niche role as a location for “quality tourism and a civilised lifestyle. We are not a country of massive museums and ample leisure activities, what we have is a very good and civilised environment which allows people to relax, be comfortable and secure and enjoy interacting with their hosts.” he said. Portugal today represents 3% of all European tourism and real-estate tourism is an important factor because it helps anchor inbound tourists.
Portugal’s trump card in the highly competitive European tourism market is to sell quality and environmental conservation, says Andre Jordan. Andrzej Franciszek Spitzman Jordan, a Polish World War ll refugee who settled in Portugal , is one of the country’s most respected tourism developers. He first developed Quinta do Lago and the new Vilamoura projects on the Algarve. In a lengthy interview Andre Jordan has outlined his views on where the country’s tourism industry should be headed. He said Portugal should invest in high-grade real-estate tourism development and major quality projects. Global markets for tourism projects are much more competitive than 10 or 20 years ago. “Portugal must compete on the high-quality, low-density and environmental conservation market, carefully preserved environments are good business…. we in Portugal … recognise the need to respect the environment”, he said. Portugal must accept the importance that major tourism projects represent to the economy and act speedily to approve and implement these. “Those who fear that tourism is going to take over the role of and replace all other important economic sectors in the country, are simply wrong” he said. Portugal must seize and develop a niche role as a location for “quality tourism and a civilised lifestyle. We are not a country of massive museums and ample leisure activities, what we have is a very good and civilised environment which allows people to relax, be comfortable and secure and enjoy interacting with their hosts.” he said. Portugal today represents 3% of all European tourism and real-estate tourism is an important factor because it helps anchor inbound tourists.