According to data from the Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE), the number of total overnight stays in hotels in the area covered by the Regional Tourism Body for Central Portugal exceeded four million for the first time in 2015, an increase of almost 11% compared to the same period in the previous year (January to October).
In the same period, the total number of national and foreign guests in the region increased by 14.10% and income from tourism operators rose by 16.20%. The number of tourists attending the tourist offices also increased significantly (23.28 per cent), with the Aveiro tourist office registering a record rise of over 42%.
2015 was a very positive year economically. Turismo Centro Portugal and the Central Region grew in all indicators. In the number of overnight stays, in the occupancy rate, in income, the consolidation of what we have been working for", summarised the president of Turismo Centro de Portugal, Pedro Machado, in statements to the Lusa news agency.
The increase of almost 11% in Portuguese tourists contributed to this upward trend in the Central Region, helping to combat seasonal variations. Pedro Machado attributes this increase to the Region's different media campaigns, which have proven to be a success.
The year was also marked by the rebranding of Turismo Centro, based on the modernisation of the region's symbols and on a new communication strategy that included a stronger presence in the media, both national and foreign, aimed at positioning Turismo Centro as the main tourist destination in the domestic market.
The domestic market grew again and there was also strong investment in the external market, particularly in our main markets, the Spanish and French markets, and a very significant increase in the Brazilian market. In comparison with 2014, we are talking about double-digit growth rates, 14% higher in 2014 than in the same period in 2015, a trend that is continuing and that we hope will continue in 2016", Pedro Machado concluded.
The president of Turismo Centro, which covers one hundred boroughs, the largest in the country, defined 2015 as "a year of consolidation", the fruit of the national tourism strategy launched in 2013, and stressed that the rise in visitors was accompanied by recognition from important bodies in the sector, which gave the region awards for its accomplishments.
The first came as early as February, when Turismo Centro received the award for best stand at the 2015 BTL (Lisbon Tourism trade show).
Later, Turismo Centro was elected the best tourist region in Portugal by the trade magazine Publituris.