BdP data show that, compared to May 2019, the growth in tourist revenue – which is reflected in the spending of foreign tourists in Portugal – is even more significant, as this value rose by 884 million euros compared to the same month in the pre-pandemic period, which represents an increase of 56.7%

The BdP highlights the role of Travel and Tourism in increasing service exports, explaining, in the statement accompanying the numbers, that “the increase in exports mainly reflects the contribution of travel and tourism (+256 million euros)”.

According to the BdP, tourism imports also rose, resulting from spending by Portuguese tourists abroad, which totalled 611 million euros in May, which translates into an increase of 57 million euros or an increase of 10.4%.