The secretaries of state with portfolios in sports and tourism have set up a working group to prepare a “comprehensive strategy for attracting international sporting events of tourist interest to Portugal,” the government announced this Friday.
The working group, which should present the first results by the end of 2022, will consist of the main organizations of the two sectors, including Turismo de Portugal, the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, the Portuguese Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Committee. Portugal, the Portuguese Sports Confederation, the Sports Foundation and the National Association of Municipalities, each of which has a representative.
“This working group will attempt to determine the economic, financial and social impact of international sporting events hosted and supported in 2019/22 and determine a proportional matrix of public support that will be invested in attracting and organizing sporting events in Portugal through the Central State,” explained Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services Rita Marquez.
The strategy of attracting high-impact sporting events to the country is also intended to be the basis for mobilizing agents from both sectors, upgrading their qualifications and using their equipment and skills.
“In recent years, Portugal has shown to be an excellent venue for this type of event, successfully hosting very prestigious tournaments and finals,” said João Paulo Correia, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports.
The government wants to “strengthen Portugal’s position as an organizer of sporting events of all kinds, as well as invest in international women’s sporting events”, using “accumulated experience and international recognition”.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
