Portugal is experiencing a surge in popularity among American travelers, with over one million U.S. tourists visiting in the first half of 2024. This makes Americans the second-largest group of foreign visitors, trailing only slightly behind travelers from the United Kingdom.
According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), Portuguese accommodations hosted 1,039,354 American tourists between January and June 2024, just behind the 1,158,937 visitors from the UK. Notably, no other nationality reached the one-million visitor mark during this period. This increase is a significant jump from previous years. In the first half of 2022, the number of U.S. tourists in Portuguese accommodations was just over 584,000. The figures for 2024 represent nearly double that amount, showing a steady and robust rise. There has also been a 15% increase from the same period in 2023, when more than 902,000 American tourists were recorded.
Despite these impressive visitor numbers, the U.S. ranks fifth in total overnight stays in Portugal, with 2.35 million recorded in the first half of the year. The United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and France continue to lead in overnight stays.
Portugal’s growing popularity among American tourists has caught the attention of industry leaders. The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) will host its annual meeting in Portugal, underscoring the nation’s appeal. USTOA President Terry Dale noted in an interview with tourism newspaper Publituris that this upward trend is expected to continue in 2024.
The anticipated launch of the first direct flight route between the U.S. and the Algarve, specifically from Newark to Faro by United Airlines, was postponed. However, all indications suggest that this new connection will be established next year, further facilitating American travel to Portugal.
