The tourist accommodation sector registered 1.4 million guests and 3.6 million overnight stays in September 2020, corresponding to year-on-year rates of change of -52.7% and -53.4% respectively (-43.6% and -47.1% in August 2020, in the same order). Overnight stays of residents declined by 8.5% (-1.5% in August) and those of non-residents decreased by 71.9% (-72.4% in the previous month).
Total revenue recorded a rate of change of -59.2% (-48.7% in August) standing at EUR 204.8 million. Revenue from accommodation amounted to EUR 155.0 million, declining by 59.5% (-49.0% in the previous month).
In September, 24.0% of the tourist accommodation establishments were closed or had no movement of guests (22.8% in August).
In the 3rd quarter of 2020, total overnight stays decreased by 55.7% (-12.0% in residents and -76.3% in non-residents), after having declined by 92.5% in the 2nd quarter (-78.0% in residents and -98.1% in non-residents) and in the 1st quarter there was a decrease of 18.3% (-12.2% in residents and -21.0% in non-residents).
This press release includes a specific analysis on the impact of the opening of the air corridor between the UK and Portugal in August and September. The opening of the air corridor with Portugal contributed to the recovery that took place in August and September, when there were reductions of 79.9% and 70.7%, respectively, in the number of overnight stays of UK residents, after four months with decreases of over 90%.
 
Despite the circumstances determined by the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Portugal calls for the best collaboration by companies, families and public entities in responding to Statistics Portugal’s data requests. The quality of official statistics, particularly its ability to identify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, crucially depends on this collaboration, which Statistics Portugal thanks in advance.