Abstract:

Over the last few decades, tourism has become one of the most important and dynamic sectors of activity worldwide. Tourism encompasses a wide range of economic activities, such as accommodation, transports, catering and restaurants, services, leisure companies and equipment, among others, impacting employment and the economy worldwide. Recent data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that tourism and related activities are responsible for nearly 10,4% of World’s GDP, and for around 9,9% of world’s total employment (UNWTO, 2018). Moreover, the importance of tourism has been reinforced in recent years, due to the effects of globalization and worldwide trade openness and mobility. In the last decade, tourism and related activities grew by an average annual rate of over 4%, which demonstrated the growth dynamic of the sector.