Lisbon, Jan. 9, 2025 (Lusa) - Professionals in Portugal's tourism sector estimate that this year the sector will grow to 33 million guests and €6.5 billion in revenue, according to a panel consulted by the IPDT - Institute for Tourism Planning and Development.
According to the 72nd edition of the IPDT Tourism Barometer, released on Thursday, the expectations of the panel, made up of professionals in management and administrative positions in various areas of the tourism sector, are optimistic for 2025.
"The sector's professionals point to sustained growth in the main indicators, but also highlight challenges that require strategic responses," said IPDT.
"With regard to the number of guests, 56% of the respondents anticipate growth to figures of between 30.1 and 33 million in 2025," a figure higher than the 30 million in 2023, the year with which comparisons are made, since the data for 2024 has not yet been finalised.
According to the IPDT barometer, "overnight stays are also promising, with 78% of the participants projecting figures of between 75.1 and 81 million", compared to the 77.2 million overnight stays recorded in 2023. As for overall revenue, "80% of the experts in the IPDT barometer expect this year's figures to be between €5.6 and €6.5 million", compared to the €5.7 billion achieved in 2023.
Regarding the factors that will have the most positive impact on the development of tourism in 2025, the continuous improvement of supply and services was considered the most relevant, with 44% of the responses.
This is followed by security and political and social stability, mentioned by 42% of IPDT respondents’, with infrastructure, accessibility and air mobility valued by 36% of respondents.
On the other hand, the "shortage of qualified human resources stands out as the main challenge, mentioned by 51% of the participants", while "rising prices and inflation, mentioned by 40% of the experts, represent another significant obstacle".
In turn, "the economic recession and international situation, identified by 33% of the panel, and international conflicts and geopolitical instability, mentioned by 29% of respondents, highlight the impact of external factors on the sector's performance", according to IPDT.
The panel also warned of "demystifying the perception of ‘overtourism’, which is beginning to gain visibility in some national destinations", and "the results of the IPDT show that 80% of respondents classify this issue as ‘important’ or ‘very important’, underlining the need for coordinated and effective responses in the short term".
For the respondents, "combating disinformation, advocated by 58%, emerges as the main priority, implementing more transparent and accessible communication strategies that promote a more realistic and contextualised understanding of the sector's impacts".
The panel argues that "to strengthen Portugal's competitiveness as a tourist destination" there are "two actions of equal importance": "segmented tourism promotion and consolidating Portugal's image as a destination of excellence, as well as diversifying and upgrading the tourism offering, with a focus on sustainability - both mentioned by 19% of respondents".
The members of the IPDT Tourism Barometer also pointed out the main trends for 2025, highlighting that "personalised and tailor-made trips emerge as the main trend (63%), followed by the demand for authentic cultural experiences in cities (60%)".
The 72nd edition of the IPDT Tourism Barometer took place between 4th and 18th October 2024, gathering 45 valid responses from a panel of 175 professionals in management and administrative positions in various areas that are part of the tourism sector, said the IPDT.
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