Xmas, New Year occupancy rates at Porto, north region hotels 40%, 70% so far

With one month to go until Christmas, hotels in the Porto and North of Portugal region have occupancy rates of 40% and for New Year’s Eve between 65% and 70%, said the Porto and North of Portugal region tourism board on Friday.

“Still a month away [from the Christmas season], but we have already started to notice a very interesting rhythm of reservations. For Christmas we have around 40% occupancy rate and for New Year’s Eve, a little better, we are between 65% and 70% occupancy rate,” said Luís Pedro Martins, president of the Porto and North of Portugal region tourism board (TPNP).

In a telephone interview with Lusa news agency, regarding TPNP’s expectations for the tourism sector in the northern region for the upcoming Christmas season and New Year’s Eve, Luís Pedro Martins believes that the numbers will grow more over the next few days and that they will be a “great contribution” for the north of Portugal to reach again the goal of six million guests, numbers recorded in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is still a month to go and I think these numbers could be even better, but they will be a great contribution for us to reach the end of the year and achieve that very ambitious goal which was to return to record the numbers of 2019, that is, to reach six million guests and pass the 11 million overnight stays. I think we are close to that happening.

Luís Pedro Martins describes as “fantastic” the fact that, after two years of pandemic, the tourism sector has had a response in such a short space of time “to leverage the national economy, as the numbers indicate.

According to the TPNP president, around 60% of bookings for Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2022 are from the international market.

“About 60% of the reservations are from our main markets. At the head France, Spain, Brazil, United States, United Kingdom and Germany,” he said.

Asked if the war and inflation could be factors that could delay the goals set for the end of 2022 – of six million guests and 11 million overnight stays – Luís Pedro Martins believes that Portugal’s geographical location and distance from the conflict help demand for the destination.

However, he warns that it is always important not to forget that the conflict exists and businesses have to be prepared, because, he added, “one knows how the war started, but one does not know how it will end.”

“Europe is involved in a conflict and everything that comes out of it could damage the economy of all countries – Portugal’s included. Despite everything, and perhaps because of our geographical location – being the country furthest away from the conflict – we’ve managed to win over those who want to travel to Europe, but don’t want to put themselves in danger. However it is always important not to forget that the conflict exists and companies have to be prepared (…), because we know how the war began, but we do not know how it will end”, he stressed again.