Untitled

thirteenth century, and was well known many
centuries earlier. From the fifteenth to the nineteenth
centuries, Portugal was one of the main
imperial powers of Western Europe and it kept
some colonies �Angola, Mozambique, Macau) until
after the 1974 revolution that brought democracy
back to the country. The Portuguese economy has
been on a quick pace to development since the
country joined the European Community �now the
European Union) on 1 January 1986, with an
average rate of growth of 4.5±5 per cent over the
last few years. In 1995, it reached a per capita
product of $9,740, just on the international divide
between developed and developing countries.
International tourism is one of the major
exports of the country, with international arrivals
contributing about 4±5 per cent in 1996. There are
no accurate estimates for the strength of Portuguese
internal tourism, though it can be guessed
that it adds an extra 1±1.5 per cent. According to
the World Tourism Organization, in 1994
there were over 9.1 million international arrivals
�2.8 per cent of the European market), generating
$3.8 billion �2.1 per cent of the European market);
this volume in 1997 reached over 10.1 million �with
European market share remaining unchanged)
generating over $4.3 billion �2.0 per cent of the
European market). Thus, although there has been
a slight upward trend in international arrivals,
Portugal's market share in Europe has remained
stable of late and there are no prospects for
significant changes in the near future. In this sense,
Portugal is a mature destination. In 1996 it
ranked twenty-third in the world for international
arrivals and twenty-ninth for international receipts.
Even though the country borders the Atlantic,
the evolution of Portuguese tourism has followed
what might be called a Mediterranean pattern.
Resort vacations �sun, sea and sand) became the
main touristic staple after the inception of mass
tourism in the 1970s. Old fishing communities
developed nearby beaches, high rise condos and
hotels crowded the coastline, and European tour
operators provided a constant supply of touristic
stays. Even though Portugal learned some
lessons about the need for environmental protection
and planning from neighbouring Spain, it
was unable to avoid the pitfalls of overcrowded
Portugal 455
spaces and strained facilities, above all in the
popular Algarve region in the south of the country.
The infrastructure for mass tourism has
increased significantly over the last twenty years.
There has been an impressive growth of 52.5 per
cent in hotel rooms and of 59 per cent in bed
places in the country between 1985 and 1996. The
corresponding total numbers for the latter year are
91,094 and 208,205. Heavy investments in the
road network as well as improved airport facilities
also had a share in making Portugal a more
accessible destination. This in turn explains the
success of Portuguese tourism in enriching its
touristic product mix. There has been a clear
trend to develop affluent sports and golf resorts
close to the coastal areas. The country today has
over fifty golf courses, with a significant concentration
in the Algarve region �see also sport,
recreational; sport tourism).
Portugal's history shows in its cultural attractions
and destinations. Some eight old cities and areas of
the country have been classified by UNESCO as
world-class cultural preserves. Many visitors visit
Lisbon for weekend minitrips in order to enjoy
the quaint charm of the city �the Alfama, the St
George Castle, the Carmo and the Alta areas in
town, so celebrated by, among others, the great
Portuguese writer EcËa de Queiroz), her architectural
monuments �above all the Manuelino Torre
de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) and some
excellent restaurants. Porto, Portugal's second city,
and Coimbra have also become more popular.
Expo 98 confirmed Portugal's ability to host world
class mega events. The Fatima shrine has become
a magnet for Catholic pilgrims the world over.
Even the old rural region of Alemtejo has started to
attract itinerant tourists, mainly from neighbouring
Spain. Ecotourism, agrotourism and farm
stays complete the increasing offer of Portugal.
Portugal's main markets are found in Europe.
Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, in
that order, account for over half of touristic arrivals
while the same countries in different order �United
Kingdom, Germany and Spain) provide for most
hotel nights. Overseas visitors are another significant,
though still small, part of foreign flows �in
1997 there were around 235,000 arrivals from the
United States, 107,000 from Brazil and 43,900
from Japan). This market concentration is one of