Viewpoints with bite

Welcome to the 2025 Portugal Hotels and Chains Report, a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic hospitality industry in Portugal. This report delves into the unique opportunities and challenges facing this flourishing market, offering valuable insights. Portugal’s hospitality industry continues to stand out as one of Europe’s most dynamic and resilient markets. In 2024, the country reinforced its position as a top-tier global tourism destination, buoyed by sustained demand, growing international interest, and a robust investment environment. While traditional destinations like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve remained strongholds of growth, there was a notable surge in visitor numbers to lesser-known regions, signalling a broader diversification of tourism flows.

In many of Portugal’s major cities, public spaces have become venues for demonstrations demanding more affordable housing. Tourism is often seen as a key contributor to various urban challenges, with critics pointing fingers at real estate developers who prefer the profitability of tourist accommodations over providing residential options for the middle class. Additionally, local and central authorities are often criticised for favouring these interests.

Portugal has seen sustained growth in tourism, fueled by the increasing international recognition of its unique value proposition and substantial investment in the sector.

The 2023 edition of the Portugal Hotels & Chains Report offers an extensive analysis of the dynamic hospitality industry in Portugal, emphasizing the remarkable post-pandemic recovery and the challenges faced by the sector. The report also highlights the increasing interest from international investors and the leading role of domestic hotel chains. Portugal is a vibrant hospitality market, contributing over 40 billion Euros to the economy, almost 16% of GDP. Portugal is also unusual in that the top hotel chains are locals, for those of you following our Chains Reports across Europe, beating Accor into third place is highly unusual. Over the last year, a remarkable post pandemic resurgence is evident. Robust demand has propelled most markets to exceed pre-pandemic levels, allowing for unprecedented rate increases that have pleasantly surprised property owners.