Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve coast, the Azores... So many destinations that appeal to visitors more than ever.
Like its Spanish neighbor, Portugal is a winner in 2023 in terms of tourism.
The number of foreign visitors reached a record of more than 18 million last year, an increase of 19% compared to 2022 and 11% compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, according to official data released this Wednesday, January 31.
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In total, precisely 18.3 million foreigners stayed in Portuguese hotels and other tourist accommodation last year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The hotel sector recorded a total of more than 30 million guests, with a 5% increase in the number of Portuguese travelers.
“
The
United Kingdom
remains the main source market in 2023, representing 18.4% of non-resident overnight stays.
Next come the German, Spanish, French and North American markets.
The strongest growth was recorded in the Canadian and North American markets (+56.9% and +32.9%, respectively)
,” details the INE in a press release.
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Over the whole of 2023, all regions recorded an increase in overnight stays, led by the island of Madeira, the Northern region and the Azores archipelago.
On the south coast, the Algarve is an exception as it is the only region not to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Tourism, a key driver of the Portuguese economy, accounted for almost 15% of gross domestic product before the pandemic and tourism revenue helped the country achieve stronger-than-expected growth last year.
“
It has been a very positive year for tourism and for Portugal as a whole.
The best year in the history of tourism in Portugal!
», rejoiced Nuno Fazenda, the Secretary of State for Tourism.
Portugal's tourist success is reflected in particular by the saturation of the country's main airport, that of Lisbon - Humberto Delgado.
A project for a new airport, first complementary then intended to eventually replace it, has been under study for several decades, but it has today remained at a standstill due to numerous oppositions.
A high-speed rail project between Lisbon and Porto, the two main cities, is also in the works.
The influx of visitors has caused serious disorder in Portugal, where the population is now struggling to find accommodation.
The country is also ending this year the tax exemption it granted to foreign retirees.