Opinion (Rogério COPETO / Official GNR): WITHOUT SECURITY NO TOURISM!
At a time when so much is said in Tourism, there including those who do not find the joke exponential growth in tourist numbers that the main Portuguese cities have registered, especially in Lisbon, We approach this week the relationship between security and Tourism.
Rogério COPETO
Lieutenant Colonel of the GNR
Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
Head of the Education Division / Command Doctrine and Training
No latest da RTP program "Pros and cons", entitled "Portugal, Because You Want!"And issued no dia 05 June 2017, Fatima Campos Ferreira journalist joined a panel of experts, to try to answer the question "What is Portugal has, which is to attract as many foreign, more than sightseeing, They plan to settle in our country?", presented with the same set of events, that they have put Portugal in the World mouths, such as the fact that the World's best footballer be Portuguese, UN Secretary-General is Portuguese, I won the EURO 2016 of football, termos ganho o Euro Festival, among others.
We found that all this is true, but the only reason, so that Portugal is currently the radar of all foreign citizens is the lack of security that sits in most countries, especially in the countries of North Africa and in most major cities of the World, particularly in Europe, by reason two constant terrorist attacks.
It is also true, that according to "Global Peace Index 2017", Portugal is the third most peaceful country in the world, immediately after Iceland and New Zealand, but last year occupied the fifth position and was always considered one of the world's safest countries, so are the other countries, who are more insecure and why Portugal has benefited this insecurity, to attract foreign nationals, not being this attraction motivated by the fact that Portugal, has become a different country than it was twenty five years back.
Portugal continues to have the best weather conditions in Europe, the best beaches and waves World, It was not Garrett McNamara who discovered the "Nazaré Canyon", he was always there, as our gastronomy and our wines are the world's best, our cultural heritage is the oldest and have several cities that are world heritage, without forgetting the fate, the Alentejo sing and chocalheira art, which also are.
All this has contributed to Portugal is a tourist destination of excellence, a long time ago, but in recent years we have found that every month, reputable international journals specialty, put Portugal, its cities and its regions in the top destinations to visit, and only referring to the most recent, take for example the prize "European Best Destination 2017", assigned to the city of Porto, which also received in 2012 and 2014 and more recently the Alentejo was distinguished as one of the top ten European destinations for next summer, the guide Lonely Planet in his compilation "Best in Europe".
And despite not being a premium, it should be noted that the English newspaper Huffington Post Portugal put on top of preferences, for those who wanted to "get away" from the new US President, Donald Trump, why "Portugal is fashionable among young people and retired travelers. Experts argue that on this sunny coast there is a cost of living much lower than in the rest of European destinations. It is easier for an adult to move to this country already with a job in mind: those who did say that there are many opportunities in the industry linked to tourism", so putting Portugal in 2nd position after Canada. Probably have been the suggestion of Huffington Post, which led to Madonna thinking to change his residence to Portugal.
All this visibility has contributed to the increase in the national tourism, by the Bank of Portugal, earlier this year reported that tourism is the most important export sector in Portugal, representing 16,7% exports of goods and services and 48% Export Services, Tourism being the main exporter economic sector of the country.
At a time when security is increasingly the main decision factor in choosing the holiday destination, Portugal has been a tremendous growth Tourism, not to have more security or has become a country with better landscapes, but the lack of security in other tourist destinations. It is common sense that no one chooses to go on holiday to Syria, considered or less peaceful country do Mundo, despite having been considered one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East, as well as Beirut was once considered the "Paris of the East", but unfortunately, They are no longer a vacation destination for anyone, not to mention other destinations like Turkey or Egypt, which dramatically reduced the number of tourists, and all for lack of security.
To maintain current levels of security for Portugal and especially in the country more tourist area, as is the Algarve, was presented last week the program "Safe Algarve 2017", as reported by TVI on 6 June in the play "'Algarve Safe' will strengthen security in summer"TSF or in part also 6 June called "Increased security in the Algarve 'very substantial' this summer", which was referred to by the Minister of Internal Affairs, that the common strategic line of the various officials and entities involved in the "Algarve Insurance 2017" program aims to prevent and respond quickly and effectively to different types of occurrences linked to security and civil protection.
In presenting the program "Safe Algarve 2017", GNR announced that the Territorial Command Faro will be strengthened with more 193 military to ensure the permanent and specific needs during the summer period, and in the framework of international cooperation will continue to rely on the collaboration of the Spanish Guardia Civil and the first time with the French Gendarmerie Nationale, being formed for the purpose of military mixed teams of GNR and the Civil Guard to patrol the beaches and catering areas located in Quarteira, Height, Montegordo, Ayamonte, Isla Cristina e Lepe.
Main innovation was announced by GNR opening the first "Service Branch to Tourists" in the tourist center of Albufeira, because the Algarve is a region dominated by tourism, betting GNR qualification support to domestic and foreign tourists.
But this bet GNR security and support for tourists, It is not new, absence of such concern since 2006, year you were born the Special Program for Policing Proximity "Support tourist - Tourist Support Patrol", in order to ensure the safety of people and goods in the places of greatest concentration of people, including concerts, festivities and Tourist areas, providing the necessary sense of security and closeness, in full demonstration of a modern Guard, cooperating and proactive, through specialized teams and formed that due to their characteristics of mixed teams (Auto, Cycle, Moto and alighted) They can act almost everywhere and with a remarkable versatility.
O "Tourist Support Patrol"Had its origin in the 2nd Squadron, the former Cavalry Regiment, which conducted the formation of the first military, where there lacked training in foreign language, having been engaged for the first time in "Operation Safe Summer 2006", GNR operation that performs every year between June and September, throughout the national territory, with a mission to enhance the actions of patrol, support and supervision, with particular emphasis on the most frequented vacation sites seafront, major roads, parties, festivals and large events, as the summer concerts.
It is thus, Portugal which currently benefits from the lack of security in the major countries of Europe and North Africa, tourist destinations of millions of people, who are to choose other safer destinations, where Portugal is included, and good for various reasons, so the GNR continues to innovate, so that high safety levels are maintained, particularly in the most touristic region of the country, where is your responsibility Most of that territory, managing effectively and efficiently the human and material resources it has at its disposal.
