Portugal took 15 th place in the report of competitiveness of the tourism sector and travel among the 130 countries that are evaluated, the rise 7 seats in the classification, highlighting in the category of natural resources.

The report of competitiveness was released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and takes into account the "factors of attractiveness of tourism development of each country," according to a communique of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

Of the countries belonging to the European Union (EU) and which are part of this study, Portugal is in ninth place after rising "four positions on in 2007."

The first three places in final classification belong to Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

According to the release "the index of competitiveness evaluates three sub-indices - human, cultural and natural, regulatory framework and business environment and infrastructure."

For the index of human resources, cultural and natural, Portugal is in 11 th place, which compares with the 30 th place achieved last year surpassing France and Italy. "The cultural resources are the pillar on which Portugal is better classified, occupying the second place, immediately after Spain."

In the index of regulatory structure, Portugal is 14. Th place in the business environment and infrastructure "maintained the position of the previous year" which is in 22 th place.

"In 2007, the index of competitiveness of the FEM, Portugal held the 22. Th place in a universe of 124 countries examined."