“Tourism growth heavily relies on continued availability of human resources. In this context, immigration plays a crucial role,” stated the official during a luncheon debate organized by the International Club of Portugal in Lisbon.
The official warned that there is a lack of “installed capacity in terms of human resources” to support the sector’s growth, which is expected to account for about 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year.
According to Pedro Machado, tourism has been “one of the most robust drivers” of national economic growth and is expected to generate more than 25 billion euros in revenue this year, equivalent to “almost one and a half Recovery and Resilience Plans (PRR).”
“If we cannot qualify, retain, motivate, and integrate these human resources—both Portuguese and foreign—we cannot continue to expand our economy based on tourism,” he emphasized.
To tackle this challenge, the Government is “doing its homework” by creating a “green pathway for immigration” to facilitate the entry and integration of foreign workers. “We need to treat both the installed capacity and the newcomers well,” he stressed.
Pedro Machado also highlighted that “15% of the resident population in Portugal is immigrant,” according to the latest estimates, but reminded that the country also has a strong tradition of emigration. “Portugal is, above all, a country of emigrants. Therefore, we must adopt a responsible, humane, and respectful attitude towards those who arrive here,” he stated.
The Secretary of State further warned that without a structured response to the labor shortage and the need for qualification, sector growth might be compromised. “This opportunity cannot be missed,” he said, referring to the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s economic development.
