In the month that marks the World Tourism Day, it makes sense to analyze the role that the sector has played.

In the route of the main European destinations, Portugal remains as a winning destination and in the top of preferences of several international markets.

After being the target of an extensive list of international prizes, in the first half of 2018, Portugal registered a total number of guests of 9.6 million, which represents an increase of 2.6% compared to the same period of 2017. The overnight indicator registered a very residual evolution of 0.5%. However, in view of this slowdown, it is important to highlight the positive performance of revenues that did not accompany the deceleration of overnight stays, a 14% increase over the same period, reaching 6.9 billion euros, reflecting the increase in prices in the tourist sector .

In terms of spending, the Worx study points out that during the first half of this year 2018 tourists spent an average of 38 million euros a day.

Certainly, through the various initiatives to promote Portuguese tourism at an international level, Portugal has been able to assert itself more and more as a destination of quality and diversity in several segments, including the luxury segment.

The diversity of nationalities that now enter the national market extends to the British market, which occupies the first place, followed by the German and French market, which rank in the second and third place respectively and elect the Algarve (30% of total overnight ) and Lisbon (27% of total overnight stays) as preferred destinations.

There has been a bet of the national operators in hotels located in destinations with great potential of exploration and that contribute for the valorization of the Portuguese territory.

In the first half of 2018 we had several openings, in which we highlight:

(4 *), Vila Galé Sintra (4 *) and Altis Prata (4 *), Vila Galé Collection Braga (4 *), Pestana Porto - The Brazilian City Center & Heritage Building .

These new openings are the reflex in the bet in the premium segment and in a strategy of differentiation by the hotel groups in order to face an increasingly demanding tourist profile.

In addition to the new openings, several hotel units have been subject to requalification processes, increasingly emphasizing this trend of market development, which will allow the introduction of new concepts and repositioning in the market.

Some of the requalifications include: My Story Hotel Tejo, Ribeira Collection Hotel, Hotel Cruzeiro, The Prime Energize, Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico, Douro 41 Hotel & Spa, Mélia Setúbal, Hotel Infante Sagres.

Focusing on the trends, the consultant points to an increase in performance of the main tourist indicators in the second half of 2018. And the bet on differentiating concepts and market niches, such as the health and wellness segment, will also continue to be one of the most of the national tourism market and will be determining factors for the diversification and modernization of supply.