The Algarve, located in Portugal, experienced a 34.8% occupancy rate per room in hotels and tourist establishments last month. This figure surpassed the corresponding rate from 2022 by 1.4 percentage points, indicating a positive trend in the region’s tourism industry.
Contrastingly, December 2019, before the impact of COVID-19, saw a decrease of 1.2 percentage points in occupancy rates compared to last month. The Dutch market was a major contributor to the year-on-year surge, adding 0.6 percentage points, while the German and Irish markets each added 0.2 percentage points.
Geographically, the Vilamoura/Quarteira/Quinta do Lago region experienced significant growth, surpassing December 2022 by over 4.8 percentage points. Albufeira also saw a substantial increase, exceeding the previous year’s figures by more than 1.9 percentage points.
The average stay in the region was 3.5 nights, a slight increase from the previous year. The Swedish market had the longest average stay, with 8.7 nights, followed by the Dutch market with 7.2 nights.
In 2023, Portuguese authorities celebrated a record revenue of €25 billion from tourism, a notable 37% increase compared to the previous peak year of 2019. The tourism sector in Portugal also experienced a significant 18.5% increase in income generated compared to 2022.
Portugal’s popularity as a tourist destination was evident with 30 million guests in 2023, marking a ten percent expansion compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The country recorded an impressive total of 77 million overnight stays during 2023. In August of that year, Portugal hosted about 3.5 million guests in accommodation establishments, contributing to a record monthly revenue of €878.3 million.
Overall, the tourism industry in Portugal showed strong growth and recovery, making it an exciting destination for travelers looking for a vibrant and welcoming experience. With the Algarve experiencing an upturn in occupancy rates, it’s clear that Portugal is regaining its position as a top tourist destination.
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