“We want the Centre of Portugal to be the recognised ecotourism destination in mainland Portugal,” she said.

The official, who was speaking at the presentation of the Regional Ecotourism Plan for Central Portugal, explained that the intention is for the Central Region to be recognised in terms of ecotourism in mainland Portugal because the Azores and Madeira “are ahead”.

“Ecotourism has the dimension of sustainable development, environmental education and working with and for local communities”, she highlighted.

In an interview with journalists, Anabela Freitas also defended that the objective is to build multi-experiences, where those looking for nature tourism can also do ecotourism, “which is a segment of nature tourism”, but can also “have other experiences, such as gastronomy, the wines, the religious, the thermal”.

In her view, there must be a 'mix', so that all products "potentiate each other", so that two objectives are achieved: combating seasonality and increasing the tourist's stay in the territory.

The vice-president of TCP also highlighted that the Central Region has 1,317 natural resources and more than 1,300 cultural resources that can be mobilised for ecotourism.