In 2023, the number of non-resident tourists’ arrivals in Portugal is estimated to have reached 26.5 million, corresponding to an increase of 19.2% compared to 2022 (+7.7% vis-à-vis 2019). Spain remained the main foreign inbound market for international tourists (share of 25.2%), having registered a 16.7% growth compared to the previous year. 

The whole set of means of tourist accommodation (tourist accommodation establishments, camping sites and holiday camps, and youth hostels) amounted to 32.5 million guests, in 2023, which provided 85.1 million overnight stays, corresponding to variations of +12.5% and +10.3%, respectively, figures that reflect average annual growth of 2.4% and 2.3%, in the same order, since 2019, showing the recovery of activity in the sector after the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The domestic market generated 1/3 of overnight stays in 2023, 28.1 million, 2.1% more than the previous year, and foreign markets gave rise to 57.1 million overnight stays, reflecting an annual growth of 14.9%. 

Overnight stays from non-residents accounted for 67.0% of overnight stays in the whole set of means of tourist accommodation, being 2023 the year, since 2013, with greater dependence on external markets, only surpassed by 2017 levels, in which these markets accounted for 67.8% of the total.

The seasonality rate fell to 36.9% and reached its lowest value since 2013. This indicator was higher for residents (41.3%) than for non-residents (34.8%).

In tourist accommodation establishments, total revenue amounted to EUR 6.0 billion (+20.0%) and revenue from accommodation to EUR 4.6 billion (+21.4%). The revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached EUR 64.8 (+15.4%) and the average daily rate was EUR 113.0 (+9.1%). The Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) shows a downward trend in the concentration of total revenue (and therefore an increase in competition), with small fluctuations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023 it reached its lowest value since 2013. 

The tourist trips of residents reached 23.7 million, reflecting an annual change of +4.6%, yet bellow 2019 values (-3.2%). Domestic trips increased by 2.4%, although still below pre-pandemic levels (-4,3% compared to 2019), reaching 20.4 million. On the other hand, trips abroad reached 3.2 million in 2023 (+21.5% compared to 2022) and surpassed the 2019 figures (+4.1%). 

In 2022, the average expenditure per tourist on each trip increased by 4.3% compared to 2022, standing at EUR 242.4 (+23.9% compared to 2019). On national territory trips, residents spent, on average, EUR 164.3 per tourist/trip, EUR +1,1 than in 2022 and EUR +31.3 compared to 2019. On trips abroad, the average expenditure per tourist/trip was EUR 736.6, -2.1% compared to the previous year and +17.5% compared to 2019.

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