Number of visitors reached 3.8 million in August, a 5.9% year-on-year increase
The Portuguese tourism sector reached a new milestone this August, with overnight stays hitting an all-time high of 10.5 million, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on Monday, September 30.
This record marks a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year, while the number of tourists staying in the country also rose significantly. This surge surpasses the figures from previous years, including the 9.9 million overnight stays recorded in 2022 and 10.1 million in August 2023, setting a new historical benchmark for the sector.
Meanwhile, a total of 3.8 million visitors checked into tourist accommodations across Portugal during August, a 5.9% rise from 2023.
Contributing to the impressive numbers registered in August were increases in both Portuguese and foreign tourists, with overnight stays by nationals climbing 4.6% to 3.6 million, while international visitors accounted for 6.9 million overnight stays, a rise of 3.4% from the previous year.
The United Kingdom remains Portugal’s biggest international market, accounting for 17.1% of total overnights stays, with a 1.3% increase compared to last year. Spain follows closely, with a 16.3% share and a growth of 4.6%. The tendency of growth among North American markets also continued in August, with Canada and the United States seeing impressive rises of 11.2% and 8.4%, respectively.
Every region of Portugal saw growth in tourist stays, except for Madeira, which experienced a slight decline of 0.3%. The most significant growth was recorded in the Setúbal Peninsula, up by 8.1%, followed by the Azores with a 7.5% increase. Meanwhile, the Algarve, the country’s unequivocal main tourist destination, saw more modest growth at 1.1%.
Nonetheless, August was still considered a successful month for tourism in the Algarve after some had suggested that the region seemed to be welcoming significantly fewer national tourists. The region registered 3.2 million overnight stays in August, considerably more than any other – Lisbon follows in second, with just over 2 million overnight stays, and the North in third, with 1.8 million.
Further statistics also show the region’s growth, with Faro Airport experiencing a 2.1% increase in passenger traffic between January and August, compared to the same period in 2023.
Golf continues to stand out as one of the Algarve’s key tourist attractions. From January to August, there was a 6% rise in rounds of golf played in the region compared to the same period in 2023, which was already a record year with 1.4 million rounds. In August alone, golf courses in the Algarve saw a 5.3% increase in rounds played compared to the previous year.
In a statement to the press, the Algarve’s tourism boss has celebrated the positive numbers.
“The Algarve’s performance in August reflects the preference of domestic tourists, who remain our primary clientele. These results demonstrate the destination’s strength and appeal, reinforcing the importance of continuing to invest in a diverse range of offerings that meet the expectations of our visitors,” said André Gomes, president of the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA) and the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA).
“The numbers are encouraging, especially in the domestic market, which played a crucial role in this success.”
By MICHAEL BRUXO
