Portugal Tourism Will Generate €53 Billion In 2035

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado, revealed that Portugal is expected to reach 50 million non-resident tourists and €53 billion in revenue in the sector by 2035, according to data from the World Tourism Organization.

Portugal is expected to reach 50 million non-resident tourists and €53 billion in revenue for the sector by 2035, the Secretary of State for Tourism estimated today, citing data from the World Tourism Organization.

Pedro Machado, speaking in Lagoa, in the Faro district, during the congress of the Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Establishments (AHRESP), stated that the Tourism Strategy 2035 “has been approved and is awaiting public presentation”.

The plan, which succeeds the Tourism Strategy 2027, “has a great ambition, which is, in essence, to continue growing in gross added value,” the official argued.

The Secretary of State then revealed that Portugal should close 2026 “probably with over 30 million international tourists” [non-residents] and “over” 30 billion euros in revenue.

By 2035, data from the World Tourism Organization cited by Pedro Machado points to “practically 50 million international tourists” and revenue “above” 53 billion euros.

The Tourism Strategy 2035 “aims to correct regional asymmetries” and generate “greater development, greater growth, greater wealth and the distribution of that wealth” throughout the territory, the governor highlighted.

When questioned by the moderators about an alleged decrease in tourism investment in the 2027 State Budget (OE2027), Pedro Machado claimed that there is “an adjustment,” essentially due to the end of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), among other programs that will not be implemented by Turismo de Portugal next year.

Despite regional tourism entities continuing to receive the same amount, around 16.4 million euros, from the State Budget for several years, the government official highlighted that “the political option” has been to reinforce support through Turismo de Portugal (the Portuguese Tourism Board).

With this aid, the total support in 2027 will be in the order of 30 million euros, “which means it is a very substantial boost” for tourism regions and external promotion agencies, declared Pedro Machado.

In this context, the Secretary of State for Tourism considered it necessary to strengthen the presence of Turismo de Portugal “in emerging markets,” namely Asia, the United States, Mexico, and Australia.

The AHRESP Congress takes place today and Friday at the Lagoa Congress Center, under the central theme “The art of knowledge: where intuition meets the algorithm”.