Mar 25, 2026 • 10:45
Portugal Rolls Out EES Biometric App
Digital Transformation at Borders to Speed Up Entry
Portugal has become the second EU country to adopt the "Travel to Europe" app for the Entry/Exit System (EES). The app allows third-country travelers to pre-register biometrics, aiming to reduce the massive 7-hour queues previously seen at Lisbon Airport. The full rollout is scheduled for completion by mid-April 2026.
Mar 24, 2026 • 16:00
Feel Group launches DMC to strengthen integrated tourism offer
New brand "Feel Essence DMC" focuses on authentic experiences and corporate market.
The Feel Group announced the launch of Feel Essence DMC, a new brand dedicated to the development and management of tourist experiences in Portugal, aimed at the international market and the corporate segment. The new Destination Management Company (DMC) integrates the group’s strategy to consolidate an integrated service offering in the hospitality and tourism sector. According to Nuno Trigo, co-founder and co-CEO of Feel Group, the creation of Feel Essence DMC complements a path initiated several years ago to build an integrated offer by destination and region, based on the concept of "vertical hospitality" that integrates mobility, accommodation, events, services, and experiences. The launch was marked during the Lisbon Tourism Exchange (BTL).
Mar 21, 2026 • 18:30
Middle East Conflict Shifts UK Demand to Portugal
WTTC Reports Increased Interest in Western Mediterranean
According to Publituris, the ongoing Middle East conflict has led to the cancellation of 24,000 flights in that region. This disruption is favoring Portugal as a safe-haven destination, with British travelers redirecting their bookings to the Algarve and Madeira for the 2026 spring/summer season.
Mar 21, 2026 • 17:03
Tourism Revenues Grow 3% in Early 2026
Banco de Portugal Data Shows Positive Start to the Year
Tourism receipts in Portugal grew by 3% in January 2026 compared to the previous year. Despite a global slowdown in imports, Portugal maintains a strong competitive position in the Mediterranean basin against emerging destinations like Albania and Montenegro.
Mar 21, 2026 • 14:03
Portugal Launches Nature Exploration App
Digital Guide for Sustainable Tourism and Hiking
A new official application has been launched to promote sustainable nature tourism across Portugal. The app provides real-time information on hiking trails, birdwatching spots, and eco-friendly accommodation, supporting the 2030 Climate Action Agenda for Tourism.
Mar 20, 2026 • 08:30
Easter Travel Warning Issued for UK Tourists
Strikes and National Terrorism Alert Level 3 in Portugal
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Portugal ahead of Easter 2026. Travelers are warned of ongoing industrial action at AIMA and the Institute of Registries and Notaries, which may cause delays in public services and transport. A Level 3 national terrorism alert remains in place for the holiday season.
Mar 19, 2026 • 09:00
Hyatt Debuts Masana Algarve Resort
Luxury Wellness Retreat Opens in Olhos de Água
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Masana Algarve, the first Destination by Hyatt branded resort in Portugal. Located in Olhos de Água, Albufeira, the resort focuses on wellness and coastal living, featuring high-end villas and apartments with panoramic sea views. This marks a significant expansion for Hyatt, aiming to triple its room count in Portugal by 2027.
Mar 17, 2026 • 16:00
ALTS UK & EU luxury travel show to take place in Lisbon
The event will bring together luxury hospitality brands and European travel designers from September 28-30, 2026.
Lisbon will host the ALTS (Access Luxury Travel Show) UK & EU from September 28 to 30, 2026. The event is designed to bring together exceptional luxury hospitality brands and hand-picked European travel designers from the UK, Scandinavia, France, Southern Europe, and Switzerland. Over 2.5 days, the format includes pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings, networking dinners, and local experiences. The event explicitly lists Destination Management Companies (DMCs) as part of the exhibitor profile, making it a key gathering for the luxury tourism sector in Portugal.
Mar 09, 2026 • 07:00
Holy Week in Braga Expected to Break Attendance Records
Religious Tourism Peak from March 29 to April 5
Braga’s Holy Week (Semana Santa) is set to be one of the largest religious events of the year. The city expects record numbers for its Baroque processions and medieval rituals. DMC operators are reporting high demand for cultural packages during this period.
Mar 06, 2026 • 10:00
Óbidos International Chocolate Festival Underway
Medieval Town Becomes Gastronomic Hub Until March 22
The annual Óbidos International Chocolate Festival is currently attracting thousands of visitors with live sculpting, workshops, and traditional Alentejo pork pairings. The event is a key driver for domestic and international leisure tourism in the central region.
Mar 05, 2026 • 11:00
Turismo de Portugal Extends Emergency Housing Program
"O Turismo Acolhe" Extended Until March 31, 2026
Turismo de Portugal has extended the "O Turismo Acolhe" program to support populations displaced by storm Kristin. Over 123 tourism establishments have joined the initiative, providing more than 900 accommodation units for emergency housing and recovery teams.
Mar 03, 2026 • 16:00
Gray Dawes Events highlights Lisbon as exceptional host for Global DMC Partners Connection 2026
Event manager shares insights on venues like Epic Sana and SUD Lisboa after attending January conference.
Gray Dawes Events published a detailed recap of the Global DMC Partners Connection 2026, held in Lisbon from January 8-11, 2026. The event brought together leading DMCs from across the globe. The report highlights Lisbon as an exceptional host destination, perfect for incentive programs and mid-to-large conferences. It praises the EPIC SANA Lisboa, awarded Portugal’s Leading Conference Hotel, and the riverside venue SUD Lisboa for gala dinners, providing valuable insights for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry in Portugal.
Feb 26, 2026 • 16:00
Portugal's Tourism Schools win "Best Training in Tourism" award at Publituris Portugal Trade Awards
The Turismo de Portugal (Tourism of Portugal) Schools were distinguished with the award for Best Training in Tourism at the "Portugal Trade Awards by Publituris @BTL 2026," a ceremony that took place on February 25, as part of BTL - Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market. The award recognizes the work developed in qualifying professionals for the tourism sector. In the same event, awards were given for Best DMC, Best Hotel Management Company, and Personality of the Year, awarded to Lídia Monteiro, a board member of Turismo de Portugal.
Jan 20, 2026 • 14:00
Mercan Properties to Open Two Hilton Hotels in 2026
New Investments in Porto and Lisbon Total €81 Million
Mercan Properties Group confirmed the 2026 opening of "The 6th Bridge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton" in Porto and "DoubleTree by Hilton Lisbon Airport". The Porto project involves an investment of €7.6M, while the Lisbon airport property represents €73.5M, strengthening the upscale hospitality offer in both major hubs.
Jan 12, 2026 • 16:00
Turismo de Portugal opens registrations for key international trade fairs
IMEX Frankfurt, ITB China, and Arabian Travel Market have registration deadlines in early 2026.
Turismo de Portugal (Tourism of Portugal) has announced the opening of registrations for the national participation in several major international trade fairs. Key events for DMCs and the MICE segment include IMEX Frankfurt (May 19-21), with registration opening February 12, and ITB China (May 26-28), with registration opening February 10. The organization also detailed the schedule for ILTM Latin America and the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. New participation fees for fairs organized by Turismo de Portugal will be applied in 2026.
Jan 06, 2026 • 16:00
Lisbon hosts Global DMC Partners Connection 2026 convention
The event gathered 90 international buyers and DMCs from various countries at the Epic Sana Lisboa.
Lisbon hosted the annual Connection 2026 convention, promoted by Global DMC Partners, from January 8 to 10, 2026. The event, held at the Epic Sana Lisboa hotel, brought together 90 international buyers, including event agencies and collaborators from major multinationals mostly from the United States and Europe, and DMC companies from various countries. The opening session featured Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal. The program addressed key trends, the future of artificial intelligence, and analyzed the MICE industry.
Jan 04, 2026 • 16:00
Turismo de Portugal participates in ILTM Latin America 2026
The event in São Paulo is the largest luxury tourism fair in Latin America.
Turismo de Portugal is organizing the national participation in ILTM Latin America, taking place in São Paulo from May 4 to 7, 2026. The event is the largest luxury tourism fair in Latin America, bringing together around 350 luxury segment brands. The B2B format involves over 18,000 business meetings between hotels, airlines, and DMCs, with the presence of professionals from more than 60 countries. Participation is by selection, with Turismo de Portugal negotiating a discount on 30 meeting tables for Portuguese companies.
Dec 18, 2025 • 16:00
Emotionstore DMC collaborates on logistics for Global DMC Partners convention
Group Embrace's unit helped coordinate the major international event in Lisbon.
The Embrace Group, through its unit Emotionstore DMC, collaborated on the logistics coordination for the Global DMC Partners Connection 2026 convention in Lisbon. Frédéric Frère, co-founder & group leader of Embrace, emphasized the importance of the event for Portugal, reinforcing the country's positioning as an excellence destination for the Meetings & Events industry. The convention took place from January 8-10 at the Epic Sana Lisboa, with around 90 international buyers and various DMC companies participating.
Dec 12, 2025 • 16:00
Portugal strengthens presence in China with ITB China 2026
Turismo de Portugal opens 17 spots for national companies to participate in Shanghai.
Turismo de Portugal announced the opening of registrations for ITB China 2026, to be held in Shanghai from May 26-28. The fair is the largest outbound tourism business fair in the world's largest tourist-emitting market. Registration for the 17 available spots opened on February 10. The event is crucial for Portuguese DMCs and tourism companies looking to attract the Chinese market, one of the most relevant for luxury and business tourism.
Nov 28, 2025 • 16:00
IMEX Frankfurt 2026 opens registrations for Portuguese DMCs and MICE specialists
Turismo de Portugal will organize the national participation with 64 spots for specialized companies.
The registration period for Portuguese companies to participate in IMEX Frankfurt 2026 opened on February 12. Turismo de Portugal will organize the national participation at the fair, which will take place from May 19-21. A total of 64 spots were made available for companies that demonstrably operate in the MICE segment, including DMCs, PCOs (Professional Conference Organizers), Event Planners, Venues, and Hotels. The fair is one of the main events globally dedicated to business tourism.