BTL, the largest tourism fair held in Portugal, is preparing an edition that is announced to be historic, with forecasts of growth in the number of visitors, greater economic impact and reinforcement of internationalization, also taking an active role in the recovery of regions affected by the recent storms.
“Expectations for BTL 2026 are very positive, with a record edition expected, not only in size, but also in economic impact and internationalization. The fair asserts itself as the biggest ever, with the opening of a fifth pavilion, reinforcement of the international presence and a clear commitment to innovation and visitor experience”, stated BTL coordinator, Dália Palma, in a written response to Lusa.
The 36th edition of Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market takes place between February 25th and March 1st, at FIL, in Lisbon, debuting Pavilion 5 and becoming the largest edition ever held.
According to Dália Palma, this expansion “results from the sustained growth in demand from more international destinations and companies, reflecting the growing relevance of BTL in the global tourism panorama”.
Record edition and international ambition
The 2026 edition has more than 1,700 exhibitors spread over around 60,000 square meters.
“The objective is to consolidate BTL as a global business, networking and opportunity generation platform, capable of inspiring professionals and the public, promoting destinations and driving new partnerships in the tourism sector”, he added.
In 2025, the event registered around 82,000 visitors and this year the organization hopes to “exceed that number”, both at the level of professionals and the general public.
“The strategy involves reinforcing the international attraction of ‘buyers’ and professional visitors, as well as increasing the involvement of the end public, consolidating BTL as the main business and holiday booking platform in Portugal”, he explained.
Active role in post-storm recovery
After the storms that hit the country, especially the Central region, BTL intends to contribute to the economic recovery of the affected territories.
“Tourism is one of the main drivers of our economy and BTL is an active platform for promoting territories. In this way, it is possible to contribute to the recovery through tourist development and the creation of economic opportunities. By giving national and international visibility to destinations, promoting business meetings and encouraging tourist demand, the fair directly helps to boost local economies, reinforcing confidence in the territories and stimulating the rapid resumption of tourist activity”, said the coordinator.
Invited municipalities and destinations
Figueira da Foz is the guest municipality in this edition. “The choice of Figueira da Foz naturally takes on added significance in this context, reinforcing BTL’s mission as a platform for territorial development. The presence as a guest municipality represents a strategic opportunity to highlight the resilience of the destination, promote its tourist offer and reinforce its projection among professionals, international markets and the end public”, he explained.
A is the national guest destination, while Brazil assumes the status of international guest destination.
“The Algarve was chosen for its strategic relevance for national tourism and for the consistent work of diversifying the tourist offer. The region today represents an increasingly complete and sustainable destination, capable of affirming tourist products throughout the year, going beyond traditional seasonality. Its presence as a guest national destination makes it possible to highlight this evolution and reinforce the Algarve’s positioning in the national and international markets”, he said.
As for Brazil, the organization justified the choice with the “strong strategic relevance in global tourism and the dynamism that the country has demonstrated”.
“In addition to its cultural and historical proximity to Portugal, Brazil represents a priority market and a natural partner for strengthening tourist and economic relations, aligning with BTL’s ambition to consolidate its positioning as an international tourism hub”, he concluded.
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