The goal is to surpass the current 11th position in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index by the World Economic Forum. Castro Almeida emphasized that the ambition goes beyond rankings, focusing on how to transform this choice into greater value for the Portuguese economy, better jobs, stronger companies, and more opportunities throughout the territory.
In 2025, the gross value added directly generated by tourism represented 8.1% of the national total. Considering direct and indirect effects, the sector's contribution to the economy amounted to 36.2 billion euros, equivalent to 11.8% of GDP. In July 2026, overnight stays increased by 2.1% year-on-year, while tourism accommodation revenue grew by 4.9%. The strategy involves “making value grow faster than volume”.
Achieving this ambition requires companies that continue to invest and innovate, increasingly qualified people, and municipalities and regions capable of valuing their territories. The Minister pointed to security and Portuguese identity as differentiating advantages in an increasingly competitive tourism market. Heritage, gastronomy, wine, nature, and territorial diversity should be preserved as the sector modernizes, without losing its distinctiveness.
The Government also intends to strengthen the link between tourism and other sectors, such as the purchase of agricultural products and national goods, transforming tourism into a platform for the entire economy. Technology and artificial intelligence can increase productivity, but hospitality and knowledge of the territories remain irreplaceable elements.
