Latest news and stories about economic activity in travel in Portugal for expats and residents.
Turismo de Portugal has approved 22 investment projects across the country, providing 8.5 million euros in financial incentives under the 'Growing with Tourism' (Crescer com o Turismo) program. The latest phase includes 12 projects focused on sectors such as nature, cycle tourism, and cultural heritage, following an initial round of 10 contracts signed earlier this year.
Correio da Manhã reports tourists spent a record amount in Portugal in 2025, with card payments tracked by Turismo de Portugal showing daily restaurant spending of about €6.5 million and total tourist receipts of €8.4 billion across food, accommodation and shopping. The figures underline continued strength in the hospitality sector and will be of interest to businesses, seasonal workers and owners of short-term lets.
Manuel Castro Almeida, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, told visitors at the BTL travel fair that Portugal is not suffering from excess tourism or an unhealthy dependence on the sector, though he acknowledged occasional saturation in Lisbon and Porto. He said policy should focus on growing tourism value rather than simply increasing visitor numbers. Residents in the main city centres should still expect peak‑season crowding, and people working in hospitality or short‑term rentals may see the debate shape future rules.
Manuel Castro Almeida is Portugal's Minister of Economy and Social Cohesion, a role cited in the article. On 17 February in Sobral de Monte Agraço he said over 4,000 companies had requested storm support totaling nearly €1 billion, figures tied to recent severe weather damage.
BTL is the Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa (Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa), an annual tourism trade fair in Lisbon where industry professionals, regional promoters and public officials meet to promote destinations and policies. It matters because discussions and deals at BTL can shape how Portugal markets tourism and how policymakers address sector growth and pressures.
The Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP) is urging the government to move beyond promises and implement the announced support measures for the hospitality sector.
Portugal's tourism sector faces mixed results this Easter, with Lisbon and Porto experiencing a 10% decline in hotel bookings while the Algarve anticipates a 5% rise driven by last-minute demand amid broader economic caution.
Tourism is a vital part of the Portuguese economy, but it must adapt to new challenges such as increasing value, diversifying markets, and managing visitor flows effectively. Lídia Monteiro from Turismo de Portugal emphasizes the need for strategic growth in a competitive global landscape.
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.
easyJet views the planned privatisation of TAP as a strategic opening to expand its presence in Lisbon and across Portugal. With the airline operating 96 routes to and from Portuguese airports in 2025, easyJet could deepen low-cost connectivity, increase frequencies on key city-pairs and compete more directly with a newly structured national carrier. The shift promises greater competition, potential downward pressure on fares and improved network connectivity, but also raises questions about airport slot availability, regulatory oversight and how market dynamics will affect legacy and low-cost carriers alike.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to New Delhi at the end of January for the EU–India summit with the explicit aim of finalising a long‑sought EU–India trade agreement. Having concluded the Mercosur talks, von der Leyen says the Commission is working intensively to wrap up negotiations, a move with significant economic and geopolitical implications for EU trade policy and relations with India.
Bernardo Trindade, president of the Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP), will run for the presidency of the Confederation of Tourism of Portugal (CTP) next year. The PortoBay Hotels & Resorts administrator will lead the AHP's list for the 2027-2030 term, succeeding Francisco Calheiros, who has led the organization since 2012. Trindade is expected to face competition from Pedro Costa Ferreira, president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT).
The Madeira region is participating in the Portugal Global Nation Forum.
The Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) and local authorities in the central region have reinforced their collaboration to support the upcoming Rally de Portugal.
The car rental sector in Portugal faces potential closures due to market conditions.
An analysis of how active and sports-related tourism is becoming a key factor for regional economic competitiveness.
The head of the Portuguese tourism board emphasises the importance of backing initiatives that boost regional economic development.
Tourism development initiatives in inland regions, such as the Alentejo, have been awarded €3.9 million in funding by the national tourism board.
The Portuguese national tourism authority is investing €6.9 million to support 12 tourism development projects located in the country's interior regions.
The Portuguese tourism board is investing 3.9 million euros to support 12 development projects located in the country's interior regions.
The cruise sector in Portugal shows significant growth in 2025, reaching a total economic value of 940 million euros.
The Portuguese national tourism authority is allocating 3.9 million euros to support 12 new tourism initiatives across the nation.
An analysis of economic development driven by the tourism sector.
The Portuguese national tourism authority has provided 3.9 million euros in funding to support 12 different tourism-related projects.
