Tourism revenue above €23.5 billion

Revenues from tourism activity registered, in September, an increase of 4.2%, totalling 3,212.76 million euros, while the accumulated total for the year is already above 23.5 billion euros.

Data from the Bank of Portugal (BdP) shows that, in September, tourism revenue – which is measured by spending by foreign tourists in Portugal – totalled €128.57 million more than in the same month last year, when this indicator stood at €3,084.19 million.

In the statement accompanying the figures, the BdP highlights that the increase in travel and tourism exports was one of the main drivers of the “growth, of €187 million, in the services balance surplus”.

Seasonality

Despite reaching the highest value ever for the ninth month of the year, the value of tourism revenue in September confirms the seasonality that Portuguese tourism still experiences, since the amount recorded in September reflects a sharp drop compared to August, reaching 26% or €1,134.22 million.

Just like tourism revenue, tourism imports – which result from Portuguese tourists' spending abroad – also registered an increase in September, albeit less significant, reaching 1.7%, totalling €739.14 million, which corresponds to an increase of €13.47 million.

And also in the case of tourism imports, the impact of seasonality is noticeable, since this indicator fell by €144.68 million from August to September, revealing a monthly drop of 16.4%.

Not to mention that massive tourism revenue brings in massive euros to our government coffer. And yet, there is never enough for our hospitals, the government keeps finding ways of taxing us more in big and small things, like the yuck, oops, I mean IUC, which some countries have abolished, but portugal decided it will implement with a double payment for many. Home purchases have a massive tax, making an already out of reach price even more expensive. So the obvious question is, where do all these massive increases in revenue keep going?

By Paul from Algarve on 22 Nov 2025, 11:16