The president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT) guarantees that, despite the current situation, tourist reservations “continue to happen” for the end of the year, which should be as good as ever.
“It continues to happen. Regardless of many perceptions we have regarding the possible loss of purchasing power, political instability and so on, the truth is that reservations continue to occur at the same rate as they did throughout the year, that is: very good”, says Pedro Costa Ferreira speaking to Lusa.
Regarding the reasons that could justify this evolution at a time of loss of purchasing power, the person responsible points out possible changes in behavior to justify the increase in consumption.
“People are probably traveling to the detriment of other social life options, including dinner. We heard this from a Google manager [at the APAVT Congress last week in Porto] and I can even say more: in 'Black week' the first information we have is that there were absolutely fantastic sales, never seen before and for next year” , highlighted Pedro Costa Ferreira.
Even so, during the APAVT Congress, which took place in Porto between November 30th and December 02nd, the person in charge warned that, after a 2023 confirming the recovery and “some records”, “no one would be surprised if 2024 was slowdown”, as the situation is complex.
“So, just like at the beginning of the year [2023], when we had a series of dark clouds on the horizon, but the only thing that was going well was reality, I can't lie, it continues to go well”, he reinforced.
Specifically regarding bookings for next year, if travel agencies feel growth, they conclude with: “Yes, probably the best year ever”, with 'New Year's Eve' destinations “relatively stabilized”.
By tradition, Algarve and Madeira tend to lead choices, but Alentejo, Lisbon, the Center, the North and the Azores have developed alternative offers in recent years that have been increasingly attractive.
As for national tourists traveling abroad, Brazil, Cape Verde, São Tomé, Cuba, Disneyland Paris, are some of the most popular destinations.
On October 27, INE announced that in the second quarter of 2023, residents in Portugal made 5,7 million trips, which corresponded to an increase of 6,1% compared to the same period last year (1,0% more compared to the previous year). second quarter of 2019).
Travel within the country was decisive for this increase, registering an increase of 5,5% (+1,5% when compared to the second quarter of 2019) to 4,8 million, which represented 85,6% of trips.
Traveling abroad grew 9,8%, totaling 812,2 thousand trips (14,4% of the total) and with a progressive approach to 2019 levels, remaining 1,9% below these values in the second quarter of 2023.
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