Sustainable Tourism Law

SUSTAINABILITY: THE PATH FROM STOCKHOLM TO THE EUROPEAN CHARTER 655 being coastal or maritime areas, mountain areas, rural areas or even urban areas. In the 2008 Sustainability Report from Turismo de Portugal , on the introductory part of the message from the State Secretary of Tourism, it is stated how: “The European dimension of the tourism sector has been developing itself as well due to the necessity of the creation of a sustainable policy. Portugal was actively involved in the approval of the ‘Agenda for a Sustainable and Competitive EuropeanTourism’ that aims to draw the attention to the need for an adequate balance between the wellbeing of tourists, the needs for preservation of nature and patrimony and the development and competitiveness of touristic destinations and corporations, using for such a global and integrated political approach, under which all interest parties share the same goal”. I.2.12 6 th European Tourism Forum: Algarve 2007 The Sixth European Tourism Forum took place in Portimão, between 25 th and 26 th October 2007, was promoted by the European Commission and chaired by Vice-President Günter Verheugen 80 , responsible for Industry and Enterprise, focusing on the general theme of Sustainable Management of TourismDestinations. Taking place annually since 2002, through a member-State in collaboration with the European Commission, it is an initiative that takes us back to the informal meetings of those responsible for the tourism of the Fifteen, in Santander 81 , inMay of that year, with a first edition in Brussels on 10 th December, a platformwhere all interested parties – public and private entities – can exchange opinions and reinforce their collaboration in issues such as the relationship between sustainability and competitiveness of European tourism. Considering that the sustainability agenda brings many challenges and opportunities for tourism, three topics were selected for debate: 1. Management and conservation of natural and cultural heritage; 2. Management of resources and waste; 3. Sustainable management: corporate responsibility in competitiveness and job creation. 80 “In the 21st century a project that is not environmentally sustainable can never be economically sound”. 81 In harmony with the declarations of the Finnish Erkki Liikanen, Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner, the forum had as its objective organizing a “sustainable development” of tourism by approaching properly the environment’s improvement and ethical respect. It especially concerned themes such as child labour or sexual exploitation and a better integration of tourism in European policies.