Portugal tourism and hospitality economic trends

Portugal is experiencing significant shifts in its hospitality sector and tourism economy. In early 2026, the country saw a surge in institutional hospitality investment, with hotel investment in the first half of the year exceeding €500 million, surpassing the total for 2025. Tourism receipts also rose, reaching €16.53 billion during the first seven months of 2026.

Data indicates that hotel prices in Portugal rose by 47.8% between 2019 and 2025, a rate that outpaced general inflation and represented the highest variation among analyzed European countries. However, a slight correction appeared in 2026, as hotel prices fell by 1.8% in the first nine months compared to the previous year.

Domestic travel patterns have also shifted. While residents traveling abroad increased by 10%, domestic tourist trips fell by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, marking the first decrease in two years. Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and ANVR shows that in September, the tourism accommodation sector experienced 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 international market. Additionally, the ANVR booking monitor noted a 33% increase in bookings for September compared to the previous year.

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.