The meeting provided an opportunity for Safe Communities to brief the Secretary of State on its work in helping the various government authorities concerning the safety and security of the many tourists who visit Portugal each year.
The Secretary of State stressed the importance of this work as safety and security was an important factor in choosing a holiday destination. The meeting discussed the progress of a number of on-going projects that were taking place and the development of new ones, forming the basis of future collaboration.
Rita Marques assumed her new post on 26 October 2019, having previously worked as President of Portugal Capital Ventures - Sociedade de Capital de Risco, SA.
She was President of the Supervisory Board of the Youth Foundation, from 2017 to 2019 and has developed several consultancy works with public and private entities in the area of Innovation, Public Financing, Internationalisation and Foreign Direct Investment.
She took over from her predecessor Ana Godinho, who was promoted and is now Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security.
Portugal is currently the thrid most peaceful country according to the latest Global Peace Index and has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Safety and security of tourists of paramount importance
in News · 24 Jan 2020, 01:00 · 2 Comments
This is good news about Portugal. However there is a long-standing issue with dog attacks on tourists. The latest of many local attacks was a 75 year old woman attacked by one of five dogs whilst cycling. She is now going back to the UK - where dogs that attack people are immediately put down. Local farms leave dogs roaming, do not appear to keep to dangerous dog legislation, and the GNR role seems to be to placate injured tourists. It may simply be Portuguese culture, but if crime rates are so low, is it necessary for local farmers to keep packs of dogs?
By UK Tourist from UK on 25 Jan 2020, 09:51
Dogs don't attack just tourists, they attack and one a few occasions have killed people. The most recent animal protection legislation prohibits the culling of stray dogs and so this problem is bound to escalate even more.
By Miguel from USA on 27 Jan 2020, 12:25