The year 2021 was still marked by the effects of the constraints arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the confinement measures in the first semester and at the end of the year, with negative effects on the tourism sector which, despite having grown compared to 2020, a year of unprecedented contraction in tourism activity, was still below 2019 levels.

In 2021, the number of arrivals to Portugal of non-resident tourists is estimated to have reached 9.6 million, corresponding to an increase of 48.4% compared to 2020 (-61.0% compared to 2019). Spain remained the main inbound market (share of 30.2%), having registered an increase of 57.3% in 2021. 

Considering the whole set of means of accommodation, in 2021 there were 16.0 million guests and the number of overnight stays stood at 42,6 million, corresponding to increases of 36.9% and 40.7%, respectively (-60.4% and -61.1%, in the same order, in 2020). Compared to 2019, the number of guests decreased by 45.8% and overnight stays fell by 45.2%. The domestic market provided 22.5 million overnight stays, corresponding to 52.8% of the total, and recorded an increase of 33.2% in 2021 (-13.9% compared to 2019). Overnight stays from external markets registered a higher growth (+50.1%, -61.1% compared to 2019) and reached 20.1 million overnight stays (47.2% of the total).

In tourist accommodation establishments (hotels, local accommodation, and rural/lodging tourism), the total revenue amounted to €2.3 billion (+61.2%) and revenue from accommodation reached €1.8 billion (+62.8%). Compared to 2019, both indicators decreased, 45.8% and 45.7%, respectively. The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) was €32.6 in 2021 (+43.9% vis-à-vis 2020 and -34.1% compared to 2019) and the average daily rate (ADR) corresponded to €88.2 (+14.2% than in 2020 and -1.1% vis-à-vis 2019).

In 2021, tourist trips reached 17.5 million, corresponding to a +21.6% year-on-year growth (-41.1% in 2020), with domestic trips increasing by 20.2% (-35.7% in 2020) and trips abroad rising 48.8% (-78.1% in 2020), in both cases below 2019 levels (-22.7% and -67.4%, respectively). 

The average expense per tourist on each trip was set at €196.6, increasing by 11.6% compared to 2020 and approaching the 2019 value (-0.3%). In domestic trips, residents spent, on average, €170.1 per tourist on each trip, €11.8 more than in 2020 (+ €35.2 compared to 2019), while in traveling abroad the average expenditure per tourist on each trip was €628.7, reflecting a € 91.9 increase (+ €2.0 compared to 2019).

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