Tourists in Portugal register substantial jump, but 2017 record remains intact

The number of foreign tourists visiting Portugal edged up to break another record last year, but the 0.4 per cent increase was a far cry from the previous year's 12 per cent surge, signalling that the tourism boom is slowing, data showed on Thursday. The National Statistics Institute (INE), which monitors hotel stays, said total arrivals grew to 12.8 million in 2018.

Portugal's tourism has been growing for eight years in a row, helping the country recover from a severe debt crisis and economic recession. However, some in the industry believe it is set to reverse in 2019, party due to a drop in British visitors due to Brexit. Hotel revenues rose 6 per cent last year, mainly benefiting from domestic tourism, to reach 3.6 billion euros ($4.06 billion), but that growth slowed from 16 per cent a year earlier.

Holiday seekers from the UK, Portugal's largest tourism market, stayed fewer nights in the country last year, dropping 7.3 per cent. There was also a drop among German, French, Dutch and Irish visitors. On the other hand, Portugal received more visitors from Brazil and North America, with a 20 per cent increase in the number of tourists from the United States, the data showed. The total contribution of travel and tourism to Portugal's gross domestic product reached 17.3 per cent, or 33.5 billion euros ($41.1 billion), in 2017, according to the International Tourism Association. Data for 2018 is not yet available. ($1 = 0.8864 euros) 

(With inputs from agencies.)