Portugal has reported its most successful first quarter ever for tourism, as the country highlights its gastronomy offering to attract more visitors.
Nuno Fazenda, secretary of state for tourism, commerce and services, said 2022 was a record year for tourism but that this year is on track to surpass it.
“In the first quarter of 2023, we are having the best months ever in tourism in terms of overnight stays and tourism receipts [expenditures by international inbound visitors],” he said, speaking to Travel Weekly in London.
“For the UK market, we have achieved the best records in this first quarter in terms of overnights.”
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Overnight stays from the UK grew by 8.2% in April 2023, compared with April 2019. UK overnight stays also represented 18.1% of total Portugal overnight stays among all non-residents.
The Algarve represents almost 60% of the demand from the British market, according to Fazenda, but he added UK visitors are “travelling all over the country”.
“The regions with more rates of growth in the last months are Porto and the North and Alentejo,” he said, adding: “But the UK market is growing all over the country. The British are discovering other parts of Portugal.”
In July, there will be 906 flights per week departing from 19 UK airports to Portugal.
Gastronomy is a big focus for marketing the country, according to Fazenda, who said: “Portugal is very strong in terms of sun and sea. But it’s also strong in terms of culture, gastronomy and wines.”
“If you go to Portugal, gastronomy and wine enrich your tourism experience,” he said.
Visit Portugal is currently participating in the Taste of London festival in Regent’s Park, offering wine tastings and a ‘Flames of Portugal Churrasco Cook School’, with Michelin-starred chefs.
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