Portugal tourism and economic indicators show mixed trends

Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and ANVR indicate shifting trends in the Portuguese tourism and economic sectors. In September, the tourism accommodation sector saw its largest growth in four months, with overnight stays rising 2% to 8.7 million. This growth was supported by both residents and non-residents, with the UK remaining the primary market for international visitors.

However, resident travel within Portugal saw a 1.5% decline between April and June 2026, marking the first year-on-year drop in two years. While domestic trips decreased, international travel by Portuguese residents grew by 10%. Business travel was a notable outlier, increasing by 11.9%.

In the broader economy, Portuguese exports and imports are estimated to have grown by 6.5% and 3.6% respectively during the third quarter, representing a slowdown compared to the second quarter. Meanwhile, the ANVR booking monitor notes that while overall European bookings remain stable, Portugal has seen a significant 33% increase in bookings for September compared to the previous year.