The OECD has released the “Tourism Trends and Policies 2026” report, which serves as a leading international reference for monitoring performance trends, governance, and public policy within the tourism sector. In its dedicated profile for Portugal, the OECD highlights the structural importance of tourism to the national economy.

In 2024, travel exports reached €27.7 billion, accounting for 47.9% of total service exports. Furthermore, tourism represented 8.1% of total Gross Value Added in 2024 and 12.1% of total employment in 2023, equivalent to 542,200 direct jobs. Tourism demand in Portugal maintained a positive trajectory throughout this period. In 2024, there were 88.3 million overnight stays recorded across all accommodation types, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared to 2023. International demand accounted for 59.8 million of these overnight stays, representing approximately 68% of the total, with Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany remaining the primary source markets.

Regarding Portugal, the report underscores the importance of not only consolidating the current tourism growth trajectory but also deepening its qualification. The creation of greater value added, a more balanced distribution of benefits across the territory, increased destination resilience, and a more systematic use of data in decision-making are identified as central dimensions for the next development cycle of the sector.

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