Portugal Invests in its Heartlands to Drive Sustainable Tourism Growth

Portugal is stepping up efforts to diversify its tourism industry, with Turismo de Portugal announcing fresh funding to bolster new cultural and heritage initiatives across the country’s interior.

Two of the latest projects—one in Abrantes celebrating the region’s olive oil legacy and another in Vila Nova da Barquinha highlighting its paratrooper heritage—form part of a broader national push to attract visitors beyond the coast and major cities.

Under this programme, 37 projects located in inland Portugal will collectively receive €25.8 million in support, of which €16.6 million will be provided as non-refundable grants.

Speaking at a ceremony in Coimbra, Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal, underscored the agency’s strategic goals, stating that each project is designed to “deepen the country’s tourism resilience, sustainability, and global competitiveness”.

Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, said:

“For years, Portugal’s tourism success has been concentrated along the coast and in Lisbon and Porto.

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“What we’re seeing now is a conscious effort to spread that prosperity inland—helping smaller towns build sustainable, experience-driven tourism that keeps cultural heritage alive while generating long-term economic value.”

A Thriving Tourism Landscape

Portugal’s tourism industry continues to show robust performance. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects that in 2025, the sector will generate €62.7 billion—equivalent to 21.5% of national GDP. In 2024, the figure stood at €60.6 billion, representing 21.3% of GDP and supporting around 1.2 million jobs, or nearly one in four across the country.

Official data further illustrates this growth. In April 2025, tourist accommodation recorded 2.9 million guests and 7.1 million overnight stays, bringing in over €570 million in revenue. Earlier in the year, January 2025 saw 1.6 million visitors, an annual increase of more than 8%, with nearly 3.7 million overnight stays and tourism income rising by almost 14%.

Paul Sheedy, special advisor at the Portugal Future Fund, said:

“Tourism and hospitality is one of Portugal’s key growth sectors.

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“We’re seeing more and more Golden Visa investors who are looking to support and benefit from this growing sector through sustainable investments.

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“By investing in inland destinations, Portugal is not just spreading visitor numbers but building resilience against seasonal and regional imbalances.”

Unlocking the Potential of Inland Portugal

The government’s focus on developing agrarian and cultural tourism in areas like Médio Tejo signals a deliberate shift in national policy—one aimed at unlocking untapped value in interior municipalities, easing pressure on coastal hubs, and offering travellers richer, more diverse experiences.

If these pilot projects deliver results, they could serve as templates for future regional development across inland Portugal. This approach aligns with long-term projections that the national travel and tourism sector will continue to grow steadily, potentially surpassing €74 billion by 2035 while maintaining a contribution of over 22% to GDP.

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About Portugal Future Fund

The Portugal Future Fund strategically invests in key sectors, driving growth and innovation across Portugal. Approved for Portugal’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment, it offers a unique opportunity for impactful and rewarding participation.

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