Geo-tourism 'on the rise' in Portugal
11 September 2009
Geo-tourism - which is defined as a form of travel that sustains or improves the geographical character of a destination or enhances the well-being of its residents - is reportedly becoming more popular in Portugal.
The Portuguese National Tourist Office said that the country is 'establishing a reputation for itself as a world-class geo-tourism destination'.
One of the highlights of the sector in Portugal is the Naturtejo geo-park, which is located about 200km from Lisbon and comprises natural features including river gorges, waterfalls and a historic Roman gold mine.
Tourists can take part in activities such as hiking, boat trips and kayaking in the park, or visit other Portuguese destinations such as the Azores and the Porto Santo islands to enjoy similar pursuits.
Miguel Perestrello, Portugal's director of tourism in the UK, said: 'Geo-tourism is an effective way of stimulating economic activity whilst promoting sustainable tourism.
'We want to offer a whole range of tourism products, starting from the typical sun and sea holiday to the geo-tourism or eco-tourism nature breaks which encourage the preservation of our geological heritage and natural surroundings.'
The Portuguese National Tourist Office recently announced that it was launching a campaign to encourage more British travel to the Azores archipelago.
Source: Opodo