According to data released by the National Institute of statistics (INE), the tourism accommodation sector in Portugal registered 3 million guests and 7.6 million nights in October 2024, corresponding to increases of 3.8% and 2.5%, respectively (+ 2.9% and +2.5% in September 2024, respectively).
In this 10th month of 2024, the number of national guests exceeded one million, which corresponds to an increase of 3.3% compared to the same month in 2023, and non-resident guests were very close to 2 million, an increase of 4% compared. to the same period last year.
Greater lisbon seems to be leading in terms of the number of guests, with 808 thousand, which is a growth of 3.2% compared to October 2023,followed by the North with almost 700 thousand guests (+5.1%) and the Algarve with 515 thousand (+ 0.4%). The highlight is the central region, the only one growing in double digits, closing October 2024 with 260 thousand guests (+10.1%).
Porto and North was the region that received the most national guests, in October 2024, almost 275 thousand in total, followed by Lisbon with 172 thousand and the Center with 168 thousand, the only regions with numbers above 100 thousand.
Regarding non-resident guests, the leadership belongs to Lisbon with 637 thousand, followed by Porto and North with 422 thousand and Algarve with 419 thousand.
For non-resident guests, the highlight is the US market, which leads the ranking with 268 thousand tourists, followed by the United Kingdom with 267 thousand, Germany with 198 thousand and Spain with 168 thousand.
In terms of overnight stays, 7.6 million in total, almost 1.9 million overnight stays were recorded by residents, representing an increase of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2023, while non-residents accounted for more than 5.7 million nights, an increase of 3% compared to the same month in 2023.
the Algarve was the only region to exceed 2 million overnight stays, which represents an increase of 0.4% compared to October 2024.In second place is Lisbon with 1.9 million overnight stays (+2.2 %) and Porto and North with 1.3 million (+). 4.6%). In this analysis, there appears to be a decrease (-4.4%) in the Agreste region alone,which represented 272 thousand overnight stays.
Here, the highlight goes to the Azores, which grew by 10.8% compared to October 2023, with a total of 274 thousand overnight stays.
In terms of overnight stays, INE data shows that the region of Porto and the North leads, with almost 430
In terms of overnight stays by non-residents, the Algarve comes first, with more than 1.8 million overnight stays, followed by Lisbon with 1.5 million and Porto and North with 888 thousand.
In this table of non-resident overnight stays, the United Kingdom leads with 1.1 million overnight stays, followed by Germany with 720 thousand, the USA with 592 thousand, France with 431 thousand and Spain with 355 thousand.
The average stay decreased
In October, the average stay in tourist accommodation establishments (2.54 nights) continued to decrease (-1.2%, after -0.4% in September). The values of this indicator continued to be observed in Madeira (4.54 nights) and the Algarve (4.04 nights), with the shortest periods occurring in the Center (1.67 nights) and Alentejo (1.76 nights).
The average stay of non-residents was longer than that of residents in all regions. The longest average stays were recorded in Madeira,for non-residents (4.95 nights) and residents (3.21 nights).
the net bed occupancy rate in tourist accommodation establishments (51%) continued to decrease slightly in October (-0.2 pp, after -0.1 pp in september). The net room occupancy rate increased by 0.7 pp (+0.6 pp in September) (63.2%).
In October, Alentejo recorded the biggest drop in the bed occupancy rate (-3 pp). The greatest growth was recorded in the Setúbal Peninsula (+2.7 pp) and Madeira (+2.1%). The highest bed occupancy rates were recorded in Madeira (69.6%), followed by Greater Lisbon (63.8%), while the lowest rates occurred in the Center (32%) and Alentejo (33%).
ET27 objectives were exceeded in the number of guests. Lack of sleep
Analyzing the tables published by IBGE, it seems that the number of guests in the year to date – January to October – reached 27.568 million, which represents a growth of 4.7% compared to the 26.3 million in the same period of 2023.Overnight stays, in the same period analyzed, exceeded 71.1 million, which corresponds to an increase of 3.7% compared to the 68.6 million in the same period last year.
In the number of guests, all regions registered growth, with Lisbon in the lead with 7.3 million guests and an increase of 4.6% compared to the year 2023.Porto and Norte and Algarve continue with 6.4 million and 4.8 million guests, respectively, showing increases. of 6.2% and 2.2%, in the same order. It is worth mentioning that the biggest increase in this analysis in terms of guests is for the Azores with 7.9%, reaching almost 908 thousand guests.
In the analysis of international guests, Lisbon leads with 5.7 million, followed by Porto and North with 3.7 million and Algarve with 3.5 million, also highlighting Madeira, which reaches almost 1.4 million non-resident guests.
By markets, and with more than 2 million guests, three markets are featured: the United Kingdom, Spain and the USA. In the first case, the total number of British tourists is 2.2 million from 2024 to October, followed by Spain with almost 2.1 million and the USA with 2.04 million. Over a million, Germany also appears with 1.55 million and France with almost 1.5 million.
Of the more than 71.1 million overnight stays, the Algarve leads with 19.3 million (+1.8%), followed by Lisbon with 16.8 million (+3.7%) and Porto and North with 12, 3 million (+5.8 %). Just as happened in October, in the year to date the Azores show the greatest growth (+9.1%).
In the analysis of overnight resident periods, the highest positions belong to Porto and the North with 4.4 million overnight stays, followed by the Algarve with less than 16 thousand, the Center in third place with just over 2.9 million and Lisbon with almost 2. .9 million.
In terms of overnight stays by non-residents, the Algarve leads with almost 15 million overnight stays. Lisbon follows with almost 14 million and far away is Porto and North with 7.9 million and madeira with almost 7 million.
In terms of overnight stays,the UK is far ahead of all other markets,with a total of almost 9.4 million overnight stays a year.Germany is the second market with 5.6 million, followed by Spain with 4.8 million, the USA with 4.6 million and France with 4.2 million.
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What are the main factors driving the growth of Portugal’s tourism sector?
Interview Between Time.news Editor adn Tourism Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Maria Silva, a leading expert in tourism and hospitality studies. Dr. Silva, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Maria Silva (SMS): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the latest trends in Portugal’s tourism sector.
TNE: Let’s dive right in! The recent data from the National Institute of Statistics indicates that Portugal’s tourism accommodation sector has seen encouraging growth in October 2024. What do you think are the main factors contributing to this increase?
SMS: there are several factors at play. First, the return of international travel post-pandemic has considerably boosted Portugal’s attractiveness, especially as a safe and culturally rich destination. The fact that we had almost 3 million guests and over 7.6 million nights spent shows that people are keen to explore again. Additionally, Portugal’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cities cater to a wide array of tourists, enhancing its appeal.
TNE: It’s engaging to see diffrent regions performing variably. Greater Lisbon, for instance, was the leader with 808,000 guests.What are your thoughts on the regional dynamics at play here?
SMS: Yes, Greater Lisbon’s numbers are notable. It benefits from being a major hub for international flights and has a wealth of attractions, from historic sites to contemporary culture. The North region, with its own growth of over 5%, is also gaining recognition for its wine tourism and scenic landscapes, while the Algarve remains popular for its beaches.The Central region’s double-digit growth is notably noteworthy and suggests that travelers are increasingly interested in off-the-beaten-path destinations.
TNE: Speaking of visitors, the data suggest that non-resident guests, particularly from the U.S. and U.K., are showing notable numbers. Why do you think these markets are responding so positively?
SMS: The U.S. and U.K. markets are historically strong for Portugal. Factors such as competitive pricing,enhanced flight connectivity,and appealing whether conditions in the autumn likely contribute to this trend.Plus, Portugal’s friendly reputation, tasty cuisine, and cultural offerings resonate well with international visitors who are looking for enriching experiences.
TNE: The data also shows a slight decrease in the average length of stay, down to 2.54 nights. Is this concerning for the sector, or do you think it’s a trend we might see continuing?
SMS: A decrease in the average length of stay can be concerning, as it implies that while more people are visiting, they may not be spending as much time—or money—here. This could be a reflection of travelers opting for shorter, more frequent getaways rather than longer vacations.It’s essential for local businesses to adapt by offering attractive packages or experiences that encourage longer stays, such as themed tours or cultural workshops.
TNE: Great point. The Algarve, for instance, showed stability with over 2 million overnight stays.How should regions like the Algarve leverage this steady demand to attract even more visitors?
SMS: The Algarve should continue to market its strengths—sun, sea, and top-notch hospitality—while also promoting off-peak travel options. Targeting niche markets such as wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences can help diversify its offerings and extend the average stay. Collaborations with local businesses and tourism boards will be key to creating extensive experiences.
TNE: Lastly,with the tourism sector constantly evolving,what are your predictions for Portugal’s tourism industry looking ahead to 2025 and beyond?
SMS: I foresee a continued growth trend,especially as more lasting and experiential travel becomes the priority for tourists. Portugal’s commitment to sustainability and its rich cultural heritage will position it well in the competitive global market. Additionally, as we see emerging markets, such as Asia and Eastern Europe, starting to seek connections with Portugal, we could witness a broader international profile.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Silva, for your insights today! Its clear that Portugal’s tourism sector has resilient growth potential, driven by various factors and a shift in traveler preferences.
SMS: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how Portugal evolves in response to these exciting trends.