Revenue from tourism next year is expected to exceed €8 billion, estimates the director of the promotional department at Turismo de Portugal.
António Padeira said last week: “We expect growth in the country’s tourism sector next year to reach over €8 billion, despite the difficult economic environment.
“The tourism sector is crucial for Portugal’s economic growth and two-thirds of tourist movement in the country is provided by the external market,” he said, adding that the national tourism strategy has plans to attract new audiences and markets to the region next year.
A new marketing initiative will see the Secretary of State for Tourism, Cecília Meireles, travel to India this month to promote Portugal as a holiday destination. “Since around 20 million Indian people travel abroad every year, we have to take advantage of this strong market and promote our region there,” said António Padeira.
“This year we have already been to China three times, where we also believe there is a great market for prospective tourists for Portugal,” he concluded.
