This week’s seminar for the PhD Program in Regional Development and Economic Integration (DRIE), organized by the GAME group, is titled “Tourism Development in São Tomé and Príncipe.” It will be presented this Wednesday by Eugénio Nieves in the “Seminario de Fundamentos” room at the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences.
Tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe has established itself as a strategic sector for the country’s economic and social development. The archipelago possesses significant natural and cultural assets—such as beaches, rainforests, biodiversity, volcanic landscapes, historic plantations, and a rich local culture—that serve as major tourist attractions. Recent decades have seen gradual growth in tourism activity, accompanied by an expansion in accommodation options, travel agencies, dining services, and ecotourism and nature-based tourism activities. The island of Príncipe, recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, has also developed a model centered on nature tourism and environmental conservation. Despite this potential, tourism development faces significant challenges, notably limitations in air and maritime connectivity, high transport costs, inadequate infrastructure, reliance on imported products, waste management issues, energy capacity constraints, and the unequal distribution of economic benefits derived from tourism. In this context, the future of tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe depends on promoting a sustainable and inclusive model capable of generating jobs and income for local communities, preserving natural and cultural resources, and strengthening the participation of various stakeholders in the sector’s management and planning.
The seminar will take place at 4:30 PM.
If you cannot attend in person and wish to participate via Teams, you can request the meeting access details by emailing idega@usc.gal.
