Sustainable Tourism Law

T his year brings us many challenges, especially in the field of Tourism, seeing as the United Nations General Assembly adopted, last December 4th, a resolution that proclaimed 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, presenting an interesting and demanding challenge for our Country and for the World. The resolution recognizes “the importance of international tourism, and particularly of the designation of an international year of sustainable tourism for development, in fostering better understanding among people everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world”. The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is aligned with the adoption by the international community of the new Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is the coordinating body for initiatives to be developed around the globe, involving governments, national and international organizations and other players in tourism and sustainability. Therein lies the importance of having a discussion about sustainability, as applied to tourism activities and the Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements.The dynamics created by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO + 20) held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 were decisive for this UN deliberation, as it was recognized that “well-designed and well-managed tourism can contribute to the three dimensions of sustainable development, to job creation and to trade opportunities”. The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development emerges as a good opportunity for the international community to adopt the new Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the General Assembly of Nations in September 2015, “in particular with the Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption