Portugal Hosts 2.1 Million Guests for 5.6 Million Overnight Stays in September

November 15, 2021 – Ana Custódio

Overnight stays by non-residents doubled compared to September 2020.

In September 2021, Portugal’s tourist accommodation sector hosted 2.1 million guests for 5.6 million overnight stays. The figures are equal to increases of 52.3% and 58.4%, respectively (+35.5% and +47.9% in August), according to the National Statistics Institute.

However, the numbers in September 2021 were still lower than those in September 2019. The number of guests and overnight stays fell by 28.9% and 26.6%, respectively.

The domestic market contributed 2.6 million overnight stays (up by 26.8%), exceeding the same period in 2019 (+15.6%). Non-resident overnight stays doubled compared to September 2020 (+100.7%), totalling 3.0 million overnight stays. However, those numbers were well below those in September 2019 (-43.9%).

The INE also noted tourist accommodation establishments’ income reached 355.5 million euros in total and 268.6 million euros just for rooms. Compared to September 2019, total income decreased by 29.1%, and the income from rooms decreased by 29.8%. The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at €47.90 in September (€71.90 in August). Average income per occupied room (ADR) reached €92 in September (€116.20 in August). In September 2019, RevPAR stood at €66.30 and ADR €97.20.

Recorded income from January to September 2021 exceeded the total for the whole of 2020. In this period, there were increases of 33.3% in total revenues and 35.3% in room revenues. Compared to the same period of 2019, turnover fell by 53.0% and 52.7%, respectively.

In the first nine months of 2021, Portugal hosted 11.1 million guests for 30.2 million overnight stays, corresponding to increases of 14.5% and 18.7%, respectively, for tourist accommodation establishments, camping and holiday camps and youth hostels).

Translation: Richard D K Turner