Portugal has seen a surge in tourism, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with record-breaking numbers of tourists and overnight stays reported by the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics (INE).
In 2023, Portugal recorded 30 million guests and 77.2 million overnight stays, marking an increase of 10.7 per cent and ten per cent, respectively, compared to 2019. International guests accounted for the majority of overnight stays, reaching 53.8 million, while the domestic market accounted for 23.4 million nights spent.
Central Portugal recorded nearly eight million nights spent, the highest figure ever recorded in the region. The highest number of overnight stays in 2023 was attributed to guests from the United Kingdom, followed by Germany, Spain, France, and North America.
Record increases were seen in the Canadian and North American markets, with 56.9 per cent and 32.9 per cent respectively. December also saw a significant increase in tourism, with 1.8 million guests spending over four million overnight stays in Portugal.
The Alentejo and Central Portugal regions experienced the highest increases, with +19.3 per cent and +17.6 per cent, respectively. However, the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira were the only areas to show a decrease in the number of overnight stays in December.
In terms of income, tourism in Portugal generated €25 billion in revenues in 2023, a 37 per cent increase compared to 2019. This has been hailed as the most successful year for Portuguese tourism, and authorities are looking ahead to further growth in 2024.
To continue boosting tourism revenues, Portuguese authorities plan to introduce a €2 tax for tourists visiting Madeira, one of Portugal’s most popular islands. This fee will apply to both foreign and domestic visitors, with hotel establishments receiving a 2.5 per cent commission from the tax, and the rest will be transferred to the municipal councils.
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