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30 million foreign tourists! A number that was never imagined! Three times the resident population.
“There are 52% more foreign visitors at this time of year. In 2024, there were 57% more overnight stays, which, if confirmed, will be the largest growth of external origin since recorded.”
Excellent, without a doubt! In 2023 it had already been a record: 27.6 million.
Journalist, president of the National Regional Press Association (ANIR)
These numbers are very important for our fragile economy: 27 billion euros came from tourists. About 10% of all our revenue generated in a year. Growth in tourism revenue contributed to about half of the increase in our GDP!
However, there is an objective to be achieved: the tourist has to be ‘directed’ to national coverage. It is necessary to decentralize the points of attractiveness. Excessive concentration in large urban centers or on the coast must be avoided.
Porto, Lisbon, Madeira, Azores and Braga are the preferred destinations. But the list also includes ‘Passadiços do Paiva’. We need to create more alternatives that attract people to our rich interior. That has so much to offer.
Tourism must also be one of the solutions to reduce asymmetries between coast and interior. Also contribute to the territorial cohesion.
Another positive fact: our offer attracts quality tourists. We are the biggest golf destination in the world! Result of good hotel structures and a good quality/price ratio.
Let’s go Portugal! Let’s work to break new records in 2025!
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