Expected tourists to popular destinations such as Lisbon may be up to 33 million, according to IPDT reports. Credit: volkova_ma5713, Twitter.
Last year, Portugal amassed more than 30 million tourist visitors, breaking records in the process. However this year, experts project that figures may even reach up to 33 million, as various statistics released by the IPDT Tourism Barometer indicate that 2025 could be a historic one for tourism across the nation.
IPDT predict 33 million visitors and 6.5bn euro revenues
The IPDT is a panel made up of 175 experts, whose professions mainly lie in the management and administrative sectors. The 72nd edition of the report aims to assess challenges pertaining to tourism in Portugal, as well as give an overview of what the government and the people of Portugal can expect when it comes to visitors.
The panel gave their varying verdicts on what they feel the most pressing issues are in relation to Portuguese tourism, but they also instructed which areas would most allow tourism to flourish. Many metrics are observed, and the comprehensive report thoroughly supports Portuguese foreign policy, also aiding in its economic potential, as tourism accounts for 20% of the nation’s GDP annually.
The majority of the expert panel predict that visitors to Portugal this year will be in the region of 30.1 to 33 million, which will beat the record for the number of visitors in the country in a single calendar year. 80% of the respondents expect revenue figures from tourism to sit between 5.6 and 6.5 billion euros, which could potentially trump last year’s figures of 5.7 billion euros.
The panel were required to answer exactly which trends they believe most influence tourist behaviour and the number of visitors that flock to Portugal, and 63% answered “personalised and tailor-made travel”, with 60% insisting that “the search for an authentic cultural experience in cities” is key, as hospitality venues will collaborate with local and national governments to aim to make the most of the various hotspots around Portugal.
Among the most beneficial impacts to the development of national tourism was the improvement of supply and services, with 44% of the panel agreeing. Security and sociopolitical stability is also seen as crucial, with 42% of respondents voting. Infrastructure, accessibility and air mobility is also seen as an integral asset by many of the expert panel.
80% feel demystifying overtourism perceptions is vital
Fascinatingly, 80% of the experts viewed for the report felt that “demystifying the perception of overtourism, which is beginning to gain visibility in some national destinations” is crucial to them, and for governing bodies. They feel coordinated and effective responses are needed in the short term to fight the growing stigma that plagues many cities in Portugal, and also throughout Europe, as protests by frustrated locals in cities such as Malaga and Seville imply that something has to be done to spread the influx of visitors to crowded, popular hotspots.
Key challenges panel feels Portugal needs to tackle on tourism front
In regards to key challenges, “the shortage of qualified human resources” stands as an important obstacle, with many skilled workers in Europe and beyond opting for other destinations. “Economic recession and the international situation” as well as “international conflicts and geopolitical instability” was voted by 33% and 29% respectively by members of the panel as other important issues to address if Portugal wishes to improve their tourism sector for the upcoming year.
These figures signify the growing need for a collaborative effort by both the Portuguese government and the wider European forces to tackle EU political challenges, amid the war and social tensions damaging the economic growth of many countries, Portugal included.
Ultimately, the areas needed to fortify Portugal’s competitiveness as a tourist destination among other European and global countries are firstly, “segmented tourism promotion and the consolidation of Portugal’s image as a destination of excellence”, and also “the diversification and requalification of the tourist offer, with a focus on sustainability”.
As Portugal expects to see a record number of tourists flock to popular destinations such as Lisbon, the capital city, and the Algarve, in 2025, the results from the IPDT report will remind local and national governments of the broader political issues at hand, and that they will need addressing if tourism is to continue to be a fundamental economic asset.
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