Latest news and stories about tourism impact in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese tourism sector is facing significant challenges due to a recent storm, which has led to infrastructure damage, booking cancellations, and a loss of business during Carnival. Industry leaders are calling for targeted support to mitigate the economic impact and are hopeful that the upcoming Easter period can still be salvaged for hotels and tourism businesses.
The hospitality sector is entering 2025 with ‘extremely depressed’ margins and a wave of largely unseen or ‘silent’ closures, the industry association warns. Rising input costs and liabilities from the Covid bill have eroded profitability despite a package of government support, and the sector expects more than a thousand closures next year. The closures are hard to spot individually but carry a structural impact on local economies, employment and supply chains. Industry representatives say short-term relief has helped but longer-term, targeted measures are needed to stabilise margins and prevent further structural damage.
Home News Hoteliers call for suspending EES Hoteliers call for suspending EES Associations have been asking political authorities to suspend the Entry/Exist System (EES), namely during the peak season, to avoid damage of the tourism sector.
The passage of Storm Kristin caused significant damage to over 50 Portuguese monuments, including the Charolinha of Mata dos Sete Montes in Tomar, which was completely destroyed, and the Convent of Christ, a World Heritage Site, which suffered extensive damage.
The Convent of Christ and the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, listed by UNESCO, are in the area of the country most affected by the storm system named Kristin. Six cypress trees fell in the cloisters of the latter.
This is the second phase of 'a structuring project' for the city’s main monument and will entail severe visitor restrictions for a period of more than two years.
About 92 trees fell in Pena Park, 52 in Monserrate Park and five at the National Palace of Sintra.
The Batalha Monastery, the National Museum of Conímbriga, the Convent of Christ and the José Malhoa Museum are closed with no expected date for reopening.
A photo gallery shows the scene of devastation after the passage of the depression Kristin, which left the seafront of Praia da Vieira, in Vieira de Leiria, in ruins. All the restaurants and bars were affected.
With attention focused on the devastation in Leiria, the Marinha Grande municipality was left to fend for itself. At Praia da Vieira there isn't a single bar or restaurant left intact.
AHRESP — the Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Establishments — said today it was monitoring the situation of companies in the sectors under its remit affected by Storm Kristin and was gathering information on the losses, according to a statement.
Storm Kristin particularly affected the municipality's historic area. A “wind tunnel” swept through several streets with greater intensity, and the falling trees damaged properties and cars, cut off main roads and caused power outages. In the Serra the impact was reportedly smaller, but access and the monuments remain closed.
“The importance of Ryanair goes far beyond air capacity,” AREAT said, noting that the airline's exit from the archipelago affects the profitability of local businesses and demand for the destination.
The president of the Azores Local Accommodation Association (ALA) said on Wednesday that business owners are 'very concerned' about Ryanair's announced withdrawal from the regional market, given the investment made. João Pinheiro recalled, in remarks to Lusa, that, if the exit of the Irish carrier is confirmed, it will be 'the first year in which the Azores ...'
The condition of the Ferris wheel in Figueira da Foz illustrates the storm's impact on the city. These images were taken there.
The Azores Regional Government assured on Tuesday that talks with Ryanair continue, with a view to the company maintaining its operation with the archipelago after March, a source from the Regional Secretariat for Tourism told Lusa. The Irish airline reiterated to Lusa that it will withdraw its operation in the Azores ...
The Algarve Vilamoura Classic Winter Series has been cancelled, with all five weeks of international showjumping competitions scheduled for late winter and early spring now called off. The events, which The post Vilamoura’s equestrian winter comeback cancelled appeared first on Portugal Resident.
When going out for dinner or staying in a hotel becomes an unattainable luxury for the local population, a future storm is inevitable. Column by Pedro Garcias
On-site reporter Alexandre Salgueiro says that fewer tourists are visiting the Serra da Estrela this Thursday.
Portugal’s airports saw a record 72.5 million passengers pass through them in 2025 (+4.7%), while Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport processed 36.1 million passengers, up 2.9% on 2024. According to data The post Portugal’s airports saw 72.5 million passengers in 2025, up 4.7% appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Communist, Left Bloc and Green parties on Lisbon city council have called for a block on new hotels in the city as one of the solutions to the housing crisis The post City Council rejects call to ban new hotels in Lisbon appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Local businesses report losses and reduced footfall since the Elevador da Bica (Bica funicular) stopped operating in September.
Home News Queues at Faro airport cause concern Queues at Faro airport cause concern Queues at Faro airport are causing concern for Algarve Tourism, as the situation has even been reported in the media.
Home News Madeira wine sales down Madeira wine sales down Madeira wine sales in 2025 fell by 1. 2% in value and 2. 6% in volume compared to the previous year, recording 3.
In 2025 the commercialisation of Madeira wine declined, with reductions in both the revenue generated and the quantity sold compared with the previous period.
Environment minister Maria da Graça Carvalho has appealed to the “people of the Algarve, and the country” to let work on the desalination plant, to be located near Praia da The post Minister appeals to “people of Algarve”: let desalination plant go forwards appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The environment minister expects a project to replenish the sands in the area before the start of the bathing season. Local traders are worried about the extent of the damage.
Home News Algarve economy grows above national average Algarve economy grows above national average The Algarve region's economy grew by 2. 3% in 2024, a figure above the national average of 2. 1%, and increased its contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product from 4.
Castro Almeida said he expects a return of €100 million from the air show in 2026. Porto, Matosinhos, Maia and Vila Nova de Gaia will host Air Invictus between 19 and 21 June.
Castro Almeida has stated that delays at airports are detrimental to the tourism sector.
