National Tourism Policies and Sustainability: A Comparative Study of EU Countries

Ana Sofia Duque – Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, CEGOT, Campus Politécnico, Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal

Maria Lúcia Pato – Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, CERNAS-IPV, Campus Politécnico, Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal

Abstract: The main goal of this study is to analyze the national tourism plans of the 27 EU countries, and understand the significance attributed to the theme of sustainability in these strategic documents. This work was based on a meth­odology of document analysis. Based on the list of the 27 member states of the EU, research was carried out on the existence of national tourism plans that are currently in force. A content analysis was performed.

The research resulted in the identification of 25 national strategic plans that were carefully analyzed. Of the documents analyzed, the theme of sustaina­bility is very common and is included in most of the strategic visions defined.

The main limitation of the study is related to the methodology used. Research­ing and interpreting the strategic documents was also challenging, as many of the strategic plans were only available in the country’s national language, with no English versions.

Based on the analysis carried out, it is possible to reflect on the commitment that each member state has made in relation to the development of tourism in its territory: whether sustainability is a fundamental premise, or if it is not a major concern.

8th International Scientific Conference on Recent Advances in Information Technology, Tourism, Economics, Management and Agriculture – ITEMA 2024 – Conference Proceedings, Hybrid (Zayed University, Dubai, UAE), October 24, 2024

ITEMA Conference Proceedings published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans – Belgrade, Serbia

ITEMA conference partners: Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, Slovenia; Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb, Varaždin; Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Institute of Marketing, Poznan University of Economics and Business, Poland; Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine ”King Michael I of Romania”, Romania

ITEMA Conference 2024 Conference Proceedings: ISBN 978-86-80194-89-9, ISSN 2683-5991, DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/ITEMA.2024

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