Meet the winners: Turismo de Portugal
Newswire
Lisbon: Representatives from Turismo de Portugal this week spoke with Routes in Seville after winning the Destination category at the Routes Awards for the second consecutive year.
Turismo de Portugal is the national tourism authority tasked with promoting, enhancing and ensuring the sustainability of tourism activity in Portugal, a sector critical to the country’s economy. The authority works closely with airports to identify market gaps, develop business cases and attract new airline services.
In 2024, Portugal’s airports handled a record 68.3 million passengers across 827 routes, with more than 90% of tourists arriving by air. During the summer 2024 schedule, 54 new routes were launched, a with 39 being new destinations. A further 41 new routes were added to Portugal’s network during the winter 2024-25 season with 26 new destinations alongside 11 new airline partners.
The 2025 summer schedule expands transatlantic connections, including a 3X-weekly Lisbon to Los Angeles International Airport route and 4X-weekly seasonal service from Boston to Porto, both served by TAP Air Portugal from May.
United Airlines will also enhance its connectivity from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to both Faro and Madeira. The Faro route, commencing in May 2025, marks the first direct air link between the Algarve and the U.S. Air Canada is also set to launch a new route between Porto and Montréal as part of its expanded 2025 transatlantic schedule.
Turismo de Portugal told Routes that its short-term strategy is to continue working closely with airline partners, tour operators and travel agents. Looking ahead, the tourism authority aims to develop new long-haul markets, with a focus on Mexico and Argentina.
Reflecting on Turismo de Portugal’s second consecutive win in the Destination category at the Routes Awards, Miguel Moraes, head of trade relations, said: “It feels very good to be recognized for the work we have been doing, and the airlines look at us as a trusted partner.”
Highlighting the importance of attending Routes events, Moraes added: “The meetings with the airlines is the essential part. This has been a great event which has given us the opportunity to meet all the airlines in one place. It feels almost like a big family here, so it’s been wonderful.”
