International arrivals and tourism recovery  

 In 2024, tourism continued to play a vital role in Portugal’s economy, driving growth and contributi  ng to regional development. According to the information by the website Turismo de Portugal, provisional data shows record-breaking performance across key metrics, including a 4.0% rise in overnight stays, a 5.2% increase in total guests, and an 8.8% boost in tourism revenue. The country welcomed 31.6 million guests, of which 19.4 million were international visitors—up 6.3% from the previous year—highlighting Portugal’s strengthened position as a globally competitive destination. 

Hotel stays and airport activity  

As reported by Reuters, more than 14 million guests stayed in Portuguese hotels during the first half of 2024, an increase of 7.5% year-on-year. These figures underscore continued momentum in the accommodation sector, driven by both leisure and business travel. Complementing this, Portuguese airports handled 6.7 million passengers in June 2024 alone, reflecting a 5.6% year-on-year increase. Together, these indicators show that Portugal’s hospitality and transport infrastructure are supporting the country’s growing tourism sector effectively. 

Economic impact and demographic context

In parallel with tourism’s recovery, Portugal’s GDP grew by 6.8% in real terms in 2022, with all regions—including Lisbon—contributing positively, according to INE. This economic growth is intertwined with tourism, supporting sectors such as construction, retail, and services. To highlight the magnitude of Portugal's tourism market, it's important to compare the country’s population with its international visitor numbers. 

Continuing with the information from the same source, while the resident population stood at approximately 10.6 million at the end of 2023, the country welcomed 26.5 million non-resident tourists in the same year—more than double its population. This stark contrast underscores the scale of tourism activity and its potential impact on...