Visitor numbers from Ireland to Portugal projected to outperform 2023, making 2024 the best performance year for travel.
Figures from January to August show Irish visits up by 6.8pc to 329,732, with 62pc of those travelling to the Algarve.
Madeira’s performance is suffering a significant impact from a 50pc capacity cut on the Dublin Funchal route by Ryanair, yet demand remains high, with many holiday makers redirecting through Lisbon.
The Algarve retains its status as the top region for Irish travellers, with England leading and Germany expected to reclaim second place by year-end.
Growth in less explored regions like Porto, Centro, Oeste, Alentejo, and the Azores reflects increased interest from the Irish market, aligning with Visit Portugal’s strategy for promoting sustainable tourism in lesser-known areas.
Revenue from Irish holiday makers as recorded by the Bank of Portugal reached €844,75m in January to August 2024 up 9.7pc on 2023. Ireland is the sixth most important inbound market to Portugal by revenue earned.
