New figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reveal that Portugal’s Travel and Tourism sector is expected to continue to grow in 2025, following a landmark year in 2024. The fact is that the Travel and Tourism sector in Portugal is projected to contribute €62.7 billion to the national economy this year.
According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), developed in collaboration with Oxford Economics, it announced tourism revenues of €62.7 billion, equivalent to 21.5% of GDP, exceeding the 2019 peak by almost 38%.
The sector is expected to support 1.2 million jobs across the country, almost one in four jobs in Portugal, 200,000 more than its previous high.
International visitor spending is forecast to increase to €33.1 billion, while domestic spending is projected to reach €22.9 billion, up 24.2% and 59.5% compared to 2019 levels, respectively, reflecting the continued strengthening of both inbound and local demand.
These forecasts for 2025 are based on an excellent performance in 2024, when Portugal’s Travel and Tourism sector reached its highest levels ever recorded.
Last year, the sector contributed €60.6 billion to the economy, equivalent to 21.3% of the national GDP, and supported 1.2 million jobs, accounting for almost 23% of total employment.
Spending by international visitors increased to €31.8 billion, while domestic tourism contributed €22.2 billion, reaching historic highs for both indicators.
The long-term outlook for the WTTC signals even greater potential in the coming years.
By 2035, tourism and travel in Portugal is projected to contribute more than €74.6 billion to GDP, representing 22.6% of the national economy. The sector is expected to support 1.4 million jobs, reinforcing its role as a vital driver of economic opportunities and social development.
International visitor spending could reach €40.6 billion, while domestic spending is projected to increase to €25.8 billion, confirming the sector’s central role in Portugal’s long-term economic strategy.
By the end of 2025, the WTTC predicts that the EU Travel and Tourism sector will reach almost €1.9 trillion, representing 10.5% of the EU economy. Employment linked to the sector is estimated at 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional total.
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