Turismo de Portugal Wins Destination Award at Routes Europe 2024

At the recent Routes Europe conference in Aarhus, Turismo de Portugal was honored with the Destination Award. This accolade recognizes the national tourist authority’s significant achievements in route development and tourism promotion.

As Portugal’s leading tourism body, Turismo de Portugal is crucial for advancing the country’s tourism sector, which is a vital contributor to the national economy. Portugal’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and stunning beaches have continued to draw international visitors, with tourism numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2023. The country welcomed over 30 million tourists, marking a 13.3% increase from previous years.

The surge in tourism has been bolstered by new routes introduced by airlines such as Pegasus Airlines, Jet2.com, and LOT Polish Airlines. Ryanair also expanded its Portuguese operations by 22% for the summer of 2024. TAP Air Portugal increased its services to North and Latin America, adding more flights to Washington, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, and various Brazilian cities. United Airlines launched a direct route from Faro Airport to New York Newark in May 2024.

Turismo de Portugal’s success in route development was further highlighted by Korean Air’s recent announcement of new flights between Lisbon and Seoul. This will be the only nonstop connection between Northeast Asia and Lisbon, operating from September to October 2024. This route represents a significant growth opportunity for Portugal’s tourism market.

Miguel Moraes, head of trade relations at Turismo de Portugal, commented on the award: “It’s a recognition of our efforts over the last 10 years in building strong relationships with airlines. We have been working very hard, and it’s very rewarding to receive this award.”

The authority’s strategic focus on fostering long-term relationships with airlines, identifying market opportunities, and launching targeted marketing initiatives has led to 18 new airline partnerships in 2024 and a record-breaking recovery in passenger numbers in 2023. In addition to winning the Destination Award at Routes Europe, Turismo de Portugal has also been recognized by the World Travel Awards for its contributions to the global tourism industry.