Tourism projects across Portugal receive €2.4m funding boost

Ten new tourism projects across mainland Portugal have secured €2.4 million in government funding through the Crescer com o Turismo (Growing with Tourism) programme, as the country continues to invest in more sustainable and diversified tourism beyond its traditional hotspots.

The projects, located in the North, Centre, Alentejo and Ribatejo, represent a combined investment of €3.3 million and were formally approved during a ceremony in Coimbra chaired by Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services Pedro Machado.

According to Turismo de Portugal president Carlos Abade, the latest funding round brings the total number of supported projects to 33, with overall investment now exceeding €21 million and €10 million allocated by Turismo de Portugal.

The programme, launched in February 2025 with a €30 million budget, remains open until the end of 2026 or until available funding is exhausted.

Of the 10 newly supported projects, six are located in the Centre region, three in Alentejo and Ribatejo, and one in the North. They span a wide range of tourism sectors, including nature tourism, cultural and creative tourism, sports tourism, scientific tourism and accessible tourism.

The projects include the refurbishment of tourism facilities, digital transformation initiatives, the creation of new visitor experiences, heritage enhancement and the development of tourism routes. They involve public bodies, private companies and non-profit organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Abade said the programme was helping to strengthen the competitiveness of destinations while encouraging more balanced tourism across the country.

“The continuity of the Crescer com o Turismo programme demonstrates its importance in supporting projects that enhance local areas, improve the tourism offer and expand the diversity of experiences available in Portugal,” he said.

He added that the new projects would help stimulate local economies while promoting a more sustainable tourism model that generates economic, social and environmental value.

Secretary of State for Tourism Pedro Machado said the programme supports the government’s ambition to make Portugal one of the world’s 10 most competitive tourism destinations by the end of the current legislative term.

He argued that continued growth must be spread more evenly across the country rather than concentrated in established destinations, while also improving the quality of visitor experiences.

“Portugal today offers 22 tourism products and needs to consolidate its portfolio to meet the needs of the 30 million visitors received in 2025 and the further growth expected in 2026,” he said.

According to the secretary of state, tourism demand is currently growing by between 2% and 2.5%, while tourism revenues are increasing by between 4.5% and 5.5%, reflecting the sector’s continued shift towards higher-value tourism.

Inês Lopes

Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident