Tourism revenues reached 22 billion euros in 2022, 20% higher than the value recorded in 2019, which had already been considered the best tourist year ever, revealed this Monday, the 23rd, the Minister of Economy.
During the inauguration ceremony of the new facilities of the School of Hospitality and Tourism of Portimão, António Costa Silva stressed that «Portugal ended the year 2022 with 22 billion euros [in tourism revenue], which is absolutely extraordinary because, in a year, not only did we recover what we did in 2019, but we surpassed the results by another 20%».
The minister recalled that tourism «was highly affected by the pandemic, almost paralyzed for two years, leading to a great lack of motivation» in the sector.
So much so that «there were many people who said that, to recover the numbers of 2019, it would take three, four or five years». But recovery took place as early as 2022.
For the future, the official announced that Portugal wants to «be the most sustainable tourist destination in the world and one of the highest quality». For this, «it is necessary to work together, developing collaborative networks».
«If we build these platforms, if we have clear intentions, we can transform the lives of our communities, create wealth and tune the country with the future», defended the Minister of Economy.
For António Costa Silva, there is still a «prejudice in the country in relation to tourism», a sector that he considered as «undoubtedly one of the fundamental pillars of our economic development».
«We, at the Ministry of Economy, have a very clear vision about tourism: tourism is a tool to develop the country from north to south, including the autonomous regions [of Madeira and the Azores], because it is capillary».
António Costa Silva also added that his «vision» for the future is «deeply based on the commitment to Education».
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