Portugal Welcomed 1.1 Million Guests in December – Figures from 2021 Remain Decade’s Lowest, Official Data Show
According to the same source, overnight stays spent in Portugal also doubled – reaching 2.6 million and accounting for a 170.4 per cent increase compared to December 2020 levels. In addition, the figures were more positive compared to the previous month, as the discrepancy is smaller comparing December 2021 to the corresponding time of the previous year than comparing November 2021 to the same month of 2020. More specifically, the numbers in guests and overnight stays rose by 265 per cent and 287 per cent last November, compared to the corresponding time in 2020.
However, despite the positive trends, the numbers of guests are below 28.9 per cent, and 26.7 per cent fewer overnight stays are noticed compared to pre-pandemic levels, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
More specifically, excluding 2020, INE’s preliminary data for 2021 shows that the tourist accommodation establishments registered 14.5 million guests and 37.5 million overnight stays, accounting for 39.4 per cent and 45.2 per cent increases. As INE points out, such a low figure hasn’t been noticed in more than a decade, more specifically since 2010, when 37.4 million overnight stays were recorded.
Last year, including all means of accommodation (tourist accommodation establishments, camping and holiday camps, and youth hostels), 16.1 million guests and 42.7 million overnight stays were registered, representing increases of 37.6 per cent and 41.1 per cent, respectively.
The domestic market remained stable, as 1.1 million overnights were spent within the country, marking a 92.6 per cent increase. On the other hand, the external markets registered 1.5 million overnight stays, 292.5 per cent more than in 2020.
Moreover, domestic and external markets are showing signs of recovery as the decreases are smaller compared to pre-pandemic levels – 12.2 per cent in overnight stays from residents and 34.9 per cent from non-residents.
“The total revenue registered in the tourist accommodation establishments amounted to €153 million, and the revenue from the accommodation was €108 million. When compared with December 2019, total revenue decreased by 25.4 per cent, and revenue from accommodation declined by 23.3 per cent,” the report issued by INE reads.
Moreover, the same reveals that the average revenue per available room (RevPAR) was €21.5 on December, 29 per cent lower than in November when the sum amounted to €30.3. However, the average daily rate (ADR) remained relatively the same for both months as it was registered at €74.4 in December, while it was €74.2 in November. In December 2019, the RevPAR was €27.8, and the ADR amounted to €72.8.
