Visit Portugal Shares Tourism Updates and What’s New

19.11.2024 - 20:35 / travelpulse.com / Eric Bowman

Portugal is one destination that continues to rise in the ranks amongst global travelers' interest. 

We caught up with the Visit Portugal team recently at the Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace to discuss the latest with the destination. 

TravelPulse: How is tourism business performing over the last year and into 2024 so far?

Visit Portugal: Over the past year, the tourism business in Portugal has shown remarkable resilience and growth. Following the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have seen a significant rebound in visitor numbers. In 2023, we welcomed a diverse range of tourists from various markets, with strong performance from the US market with a 35,7% YoY increase on guests, 33,7% on stays and 31,5% on tourism receipts.  

Looking ahead, we are optimistic about continued growth. Our marketing efforts are focused on promoting Portugal as a year-round destination, emphasizing not only our stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage but also our gastronomy, our responsible and sustainable tourism offer, and unique and immersive experiences. We anticipate an increase in international tourism supported by the expansion of flight connections and enhanced tourism offer and infrastructure. 

Overall, the outlook for tourism in Portugal remains positive, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum while ensuring a high-quality experience for all visitors. 

TP: Can you talk about the logistics and importance of the annual Portugal Marketplace event?

VP: The Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace event serves as a vital platform for promoting our tourism offerings and fostering connections between Portuguese suppliers and US travel professionals.

The event is meticulously organized to ensure a smooth experience for all participants. It typically includes:

1. Destination Classroom sessions that highlight Portugal's diverse attractions, regions, and experiences and also focus on Visit Portugal's view and mission for the sector and destination;

2. Structured meetings that facilitate direct supplier-buyer engagement, enabling participants to discuss partnerships and explore collaboration opportunities and other networking opportunities that allow attendees to meet with key stakeholders, including tour operators, travel agents, and hospitality providers.

3. Study tours to the 7 regions of Portugal, that allow attendees to experience and learn about Portugal in loco. 

Our goal is to create a framework for raising awareness of Portugal's unique offerings among travel professionals, helping positioning us as a top travel destination, and fostering long-term partnerships and collaborations, which are crucial for sustainable tourism growth.

TP: What’s new on the hotels front, how are things looking there?

V