The study, which was undertaken by Deloitte on behalf of the ATL, found that during 2017 an additional 49,000 jobs were created in the area either directly or indirectly as a result of tourism in comparison to 2015 when the previous study was completed.


When it came to revenue, the amount of money brought into the area through tourism was at 13.7 billion euros, four billion more than in 2015, and eight billion more than 2005.


Most of the foreign tourists coming to Lisbon came from Brazil, France, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy, with tourists spending on average 161.1 euros per day and staying on average for 2.3 nights.


Improved transportation and a diversification in products offered by operators were both highlighted as reasons that have helped to boost tourism in the Lisbon area, allowing people to be able to stay further from the centre of the city and to travel in and for people with differing requirements being able to find what they need in Lisbon for a trip.


However the need to further develop the Lisbon area as a whole for tourists was described by the director of ATL Vítor Costa, who stated that it was essential to increase internal mobility options within the city, particularly because “90 percent of tourists arrive by plane”.


He added: “Our territory is small but it has many resources and we want to promote that you are always in Lisbon, whether you are staying in Almada or Setúbal, the main brand will always be Lisbon.”


According to the study there are 21,000 more local accommo-dation rooms in the Lisbon area now when compared to 2015 and a further 1,786 hotel rooms. Occupancy rates have increased to 77.5% (compared to 71.7 percent in 2015) and the price per room available is now up to 77.70 euros.


“Today we have a higher profitability in the hotel sector and we have the best by far in the country, well above the national average and approaching some of the best examples in Europe,” added Vítor Costa.


The study also found that 94 percent of visitors come to the city by plane, 92 percent come on a trip for leisure and 10.5 percent of visitors have visited Lisbon more than once.