The Turismo de Portugal in Spain Team (EDT/ES) contributes to the organisation of Visit Portugal's presence at the international fairs, FITUR (Madrid) and IBTM (Barcelona), and selects, invites and monitors the Spanish hosted buyers participating in the Lisbon Travel Market.
Its day-to-day work also includes monitoring the main market indicators, data analysis, studies, newsletters, monitoring promotional campaigns, contact with operators, travel agencies and airlines, as well as supporting DMCs that organise tailor-made trips, in Spain and Portugal, for international clients (USA, LATAM, Asia and the Middle East) who are visiting both countries.
It also maintains assiduous contact with the generalist and sector media, and organises prospecting visits, press trips and fam trips in coordination with the head office, ARPTs, ERTs and hotels. Every year it participates in workshops, at national level, with the two main confederations of travel agents in the market, prepares and carries out networking activities and brand activation for companies, travel clubs, associations, cultural entities and end users, and attends conferences, congresses and industry forums.
Additionally, it plays an important role in the organisation of cultural events in conjunction with the Portuguese Embassy in Madrid (Fado Festival, Portugal Day celebrations and attendance at the Book Fair) and with the Consulates of Seville and Barcelona. It is involved in drawing up the cross-border tourism strategy through contacts and meetings with the communities that border Portugal.
Spain, the only country that borders Portugal, has a resident population of over 48 million inhabitants, 15 Autonomous Communities and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla). Spanish citizens have a life expectancy of 84 years and an average gross annual salary of around 21,600 euros. The unemployment rate is around 11% and the minimum wage exceeds 1,100 euros. Due to its geographical proximity, which facilitates frequent travel, especially during school and public holidays and weekends, it is one of the main source markets for tourists travelling to Portugal.
Portugal is the second tourist destination for Spaniards after France, and in the months of July and August, it takes first place. Young people, adults and seniors, couples and families travel for leisure, gastronomy, cultural tourism, music festivals and business. The main communities sending Spanish tourists to Portugal are Galicia, Andalusia, Madrid, Extremadura and Castile and León.
// Touriste profile
Spanish tourists travel to Portugal through the cross-border road network. Most travel by car and have a preference for the cities of Lisbon and Porto, although they do visit the entire mainland territory.
Their presence is very significant in the regions of Porto and the North, Central Portugal and the Alentejo, where Spain is the top market in terms of guests. Our Spanish visitors prefer "getaways" throughout the year to visit cities, go walking and meet with friends in rural tourism properties. They are always on the look-out for gastronomy, culture and fun. And they maintain a preference for sun and beach trips during the summer holiday period, looking for familiar and safe destinations close to home. Trips are purchased directly, by booking flights, hotels or local accommodation through online channels. The price is decisive for their choices and only active seniors opt for agency packages.
After the pandemic, the Azores islands began to be noticed by the Spanish, and the growth of this market in the archipelago is very significant, due to the direct route from Barcelona. The Algarve and the island of Madeira have historically been the regions least frequented by Spanish visitors.
Currently, there are around 500 monthly flights between Spain and Portugal operated by the airlines TAP, Iberia, Easyjet, Ryanair, SATA, Binter, Air Europa, Volotea and Vueling.
// Location
Oficina de Turismo de Portugal
C/Lagasca, 88, 4º B
28001 – Madrid – Espanha
Tel: 0034917617230
Coordinates: 40°25'48.7"N 3°41'05.1"W
Email: Info.Espanha@turismodeportugal.pt
// Team
Maria de Lurdes Vale - Coordinator
lurdes.vale@turismodeportugal.pt
Tel: 0034917617254
Carolina Ruiz - Product Manager
carolina.ruizdeburgos@turismodeportugal.pt
Tel: 0034917617231
