The number of foreign tourists visiting Portugal in the first quarter of 2024 exceeded three million, according to preliminary data from the local National Statistical Institute (INE). This is the best result for the first quarter in the history of this country.
In the period from January to March 2024, the number of foreign guests staying in hotels in Portugal increased by 10.6%. compared to the same period in 2023. It is worth remembering that last year was a record year for the Portuguese tourism industry. The latest data means that the country located on the Iberian Peninsula is on track to improve on last year's result.
Portugal is eagerly visited by tourists
According to the institute, the growth in the first quarter of this year contributed, among others, Easter, which this year fell at the turn of March and April, while last year the holiday days covered only April.
The data shows that in March alone, over 1.4 million tourists came to Portugal, which was also a record for this month. Most people arrived from neighboring Spain, with travelers from Great Britain and the USA also among the leaders.
Reuters reported that tourism is a key driver of the local economy. All revenues related to this sector account for over 15%. Portugal's gross domestic product.
The tourism sector in Portugal recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic much faster than in most other countries, it added.
January forecasts by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) show that global tourism is expected to fully recover from the pandemic this year. The number of international trips is expected to increase by 2%. compared to 2019.
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