Dublin, 29th September 2025 – Irish holidaymakers have made Ireland the 6th largest international market for Portuguese tourism by spending over €717 million in Portugal so far this year — ahead of Brazil, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. From January to July 2025, revenue from Irish visitors rose 4% year-on-year, reinforcing the enduring strength of the Irish market despite changing travel habits and wider economic pressures.
Regional Growth: Madeira Leads the Way
While the year began with reduced winter flight capacity, travel has bounced back strongly:
• Madeira recorded a remarkable +62% growth in overnight stays, driven by expanded air routes.
• Porto & North also saw healthy growth of +6.1%.
• The Algarve welcomed more guests (+3.2%), though average stays were shorter.
• The Azores saw fewer visitors (–2.9%), but those who came stayed longer (+1.6% overnight stays).
By contrast, Lisbon continues to face decline, constrained by airport capacity that also affects nearby regions such as the Centre and Alentejo.
Golf Tourism on the Rise
Ireland has also broken into the top four golf markets for Portugal. Irish golfers posted consistent growth across the first half of the year, with the Algarve and Centre regions surpassing previous records.
Looking Ahead
“These results highlight both the strength of Ireland as a tourism market and the opportunities ahead,” said Carlos Oliveira, Director of Visit Portugal, Ireland. “Irish travellers are not only returning in greater numbers, but also diversifying their holidays – from golf to island escapes. As connectivity expands, we are working to ensure growth is spread across all regions and seasons, building a more balanced and sustainable model for the future.”
With autumn and winter sun campaigns now under way, Portugal expects further momentum from the Irish market heading into 2026. |
