Monthly indicators from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) showed that the hotel and hospitality sector recorded 2.9 million guests and 7.2 million overnight stays.

This represented growth of 2.4% and 0.6%, respectively, compared to April 2025. However, the sector lost momentum compared to March, when growth was 0.8% and 1.1%. The slowdown in growth was driven by external markets, which offset a drop in domestic consumption.

The INE's detailed analysis shows overnight stays by non-residents grew by 1.2% in April, reaching 5.2 million nights. In contrast, overnight stays by residents fell by 1% to 2 million nights, continuing a 3.1% drop from the previous month.

The national statistics authority suggests these fluctuations may be influenced by the moving calendar, particularly the anticipation of Easter in March. Lower passenger retention also led to a general decline in the average national stay.

The average stay decreased by 1.8%, to 2.46 nights per traveller, with the Central and Western regions recording the shortest stays in the country.

At the regional level, Alentejo emerged as the month's big winner, leading growth in both overnight stays (+8.4%, exceeding 303,000) and guests (+7%).

The North ranked second, registering a 4.1% increase in overnight stays and surpassing 1.335 million in April.

Positive results

Lisbon and the Algarve also showed positive results, with increases of 1.5% and 0.9%. Other regions, including the Centre, West, Tagus Valley, Setúbal Peninsula, Azores, and Madeira, ended the month on a negative note. The Centre experienced the biggest drop in overnight stays, at -8.7%.

In international markets, the United Kingdom maintained its leadership with a 17.8% share and 925,000 overnight stays, despite a 0.5% decline.

Germany secured second place with a 4.5% rise to 617,000 nights. The United States followed closely, growing by 6.5% to 507,000 nights.

The standout performances came from the Canadian (+12%) and Dutch (+9.9%) markets, which showed the greatest growth. On the other hand, the Italian market experienced the biggest drop this month, falling 9.7%, the largest decline since spring 2021.

At the municipal level, the city of Lisbon had the largest share of overnight stays, accounting for 20.3% of the national total (1.5 million), driven by the foreign market.

Albufeira, in the Algarve, saw the strongest expansion among main urban destinations. Overnight stays grew by 8.5% to 729,300, helped by increases in both resident and non-resident arrivals. Porto also followed this positive trend, rising by 3.6% to 615,700 nights.

This general slowdown in tourism affected the financial performance of companies in the sector. Total revenue for the national hotel industry reached €600.7 million in April.

Accommodation revenue was €453.1 million. While these figures represent year-on-year increases of 5.2% and 4%, financial growth slowed from March's 6.1% and 5.6%.

Greater Lisbon maintained its leadership in revenue, accounting for 30.8% of the country's total. Alentejo saw the highest financial growth (+10.6%), while the Central region had the largest monetary decline (-8.3%).