AGP Executive Report

Lisbon and Porto: Police dismantled housing protest camps, arresting 31 people. Organisers reported dozens injured, while police confirmed 11. Dakar Rally: The 2027 race is leaving Saudi Arabia; Portugal or Spain could host its prologue, but organisers have yet to confirm a new location. Algarve Tourism: The region’s tourism chief says double-digit visitor growth should no longer be the goal, signalling a shift in how success is measured. Air Links: Smartwings is launching direct flights from Prague to Lisbon. Azores Conservation: Corvo’s annual five-night blackout helps protect young shearwaters, which can be disoriented by streetlights on their first flight to the sea.

Air Links: Smartwings has launched Prague–Lisbon flights three times a week, adding the Portuguese capital to its network alongside Porto, Madeira and the Azores. Travel Alert: Brazilian honeymooner Amanda Nascimento, 29, died after a severe reaction to shrimp in Leiria; she suffered cardiac arrest while being transferred to a hospital in Coimbra. Housing Pressure: Hundreds marched in Lisbon demanding affordable homes, as housing costs and tourist-related pressures remain a focus of public debate. Surfing: Australia’s Molly Picklum won the WSL event at Supertubos, Portugal, and moved into the lead in the women’s title race. Tourism Strategy: Portugal is targeting €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035, while Algarve tourism leaders say double-digit visitor growth should no longer be the goal.

Air Links: Smartwings has launched three weekly direct flights from Prague to Lisbon, adding the Portuguese capital to its network alongside Porto, Madeira and the Azores. Surfing: Australia’s Molly Picklum won the World Surf League event at Supertubos, Portugal, moving into the lead in the title race. Tourism Strategy: Portugal is targeting €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035, while an Algarve tourism leader says chasing double-digit visitor growth should no longer be the goal. Algarve: The environment minister is heading to Faro to advance flood-protection and waste-management deals, issues with growing importance for the region. City Breaks: Lisbon has been named Europe’s top city destination.

Lisbon’s Big Win: Lisbon was named Europe’s Leading City Destination at the 2026 World Travel Awards, beating cities including Barcelona, Rome and Porto. Surfing in Peniche: Molly Picklum won the Rip Curl Pro at Supertubos, moving to the top of the world tour standings; Griffin Colapinto took the men’s title. Algarve Tourism: Regional tourism leaders say the focus should shift from double-digit visitor growth to more sustainable development. Portugal aims to generate €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035. Faro Plans: The environment minister will visit on 30 October to launch work on flood prevention and options for treating the Algarve’s municipal waste. Getting Around Lisbon: Bolt has criticised the city’s plan to suspend shared e-scooters by year’s end, saying residents account for most trips and use them to connect with public transport.

Tourism Strategy: Portugal is targeting €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035. In the Algarve, tourism chief André Gomes says success should be measured by local value, not ever-rising visitor numbers, with more focus on nature, heritage, culture and food. Algarve Attractions: Aquashow Water Park has been named Europe’s Leading Water Park for 2026, while two Algarve beaches also earned places among Europe’s best. Air Links: Prague’s winter schedule adds a new Lisbon service, giving travellers another direct route to Portugal. Douro Getaways: A €1.5 million project at Quinta Vale D. Maria aims to boost wine tourism in the Douro.

Tourism Growth: Portugal’s new 10-year strategy targets 50 million international visitors and more than €53 billion in tourism revenue by 2035. The country expects over 30 million visitors this year. Getting Around: Rede Expressos has launched €2.50 bus tickets, offering a low-cost way to explore Portugal. Coastal Draws: Peniche hosted a World Surf League final, while two Algarve beaches were named among Europe’s best. Cruise News: Mein Schiff Flow’s 2027–28 winter programme includes Lisbon, alongside calls in A Coruña and Bilbao. City Spotlight: Lisbon has been crowned Europe’s top city destination.

Cheap Travel: Rede Expressos is offering 100,000 tickets for €2.50 on journeys across Portugal through November 30; buy by November 12 while seats last. Air Links: Ryanair’s winter schedule adds 18 routes across Italy, including twice-weekly flights from Milan Malpensa to Funchal. Cruise News: Royal Caribbean’s 2028–29 Europe season includes Lisbon departures on Rhapsody and Mariner of the Seas. Destination Spotlight: Lisbon has been named Europe’s top city destination and best cruise destination, while two Algarve beaches made a list of Europe’s best. Algarve Safety: A British holidaymaker suffered a serious head injury after falling from a cliff at a popular beach, a reminder to take care near coastal edges.

Lisbon Protests: Housing demonstrators removed their tents from Rossio Square but stayed outdoors, avoiding a fresh police eviction. Protests and possible transport disruption could affect visitors in central areas. Sporting Events: Setúbal will host an Open Water Swimming World Cup stop on May 28–29, 2027; the venue was also a stop where swimmers reportedly fell ill this spring. Algarve Escapes: Two Algarve beaches made a new list of Europe’s best, while a separate ranking named Lisbon Europe’s top city destination. A British visitor suffered a serious head injury after falling from a cliff at an Algarve beach, a reminder to keep well back from exposed edges. Travel Planning: Foreigners heading to Portugal to look for work are advised to contact their local EURES office first for guidance on the job market. Storm Recovery: Portugal will receive €261.5 million from the EU’s disaster fund, the largest share of a €489 million package for four countries, to help repair damage from winter storms and flooding.

Luxury Stays: Philippe Starck is designing ASerra, a 25-suite hotel and 22 villas near Melides, with the hotel due to open in 2028. Travel Recovery: The European Parliament approved €261.5 million in storm-recovery aid for Portugal, including support for transport infrastructure and temporary accommodation. Algarve Sailing: Vilamoura will host the Youth Sailing World Championships from December 11–19, welcoming nearly 450 young sailors from 64 countries. Destination Honors: Lisbon was named Europe’s best city and cruise destination for 2026, while Portugal again earned recognition at the World Travel Awards Europe. Beach Safety: A British visitor suffered a serious head injury after old access cables snapped near Amado Beach in Aljezur.

Housing Protests: Lisbon and Porto demonstrations resumed after police cleared protest camps and arrested 55 people; organisers say they plan to rebuild the camps, bringing disruption to central squares. Algarve Safety: A British visitor was seriously injured in a fall near Amado Beach after using old fishing cables to descend a cliff. Douro Cruises: Tauck plans to nearly double its Douro capacity in 2027, adding a second ship and shorter itineraries. Flights and Fares: Ryanair and easyJet have announced new summer 2027 routes, including flights from Bournemouth and Exeter to Porto, while Ryanair’s chief warns European fares could rise by as much as 20% next year. Wine Tourism: A €1.5 million project at Quinta Vale D. Maria is set to add to the Douro’s visitor offer.

Tourism Honors: Portugal earned major recognition at the 2026 World Travel Awards Europe, including hotel titles for Lisbon, Estoril and Vilamoura, while Algarve tourism also drew praise. Air Connections: TAP’s proposed Lufthansa partnership still faces complex EU, US and Brazilian regulatory reviews, assessed route by route; Algarve officials are also calling for more flights to Faro. Douro Wine Tourism: Quinta Vale D. Maria has opened a €1.5 million visitor project featuring tastings, masterclasses and an exhibition on the region’s old vines. Housing Pressure: Police dismantled tent camps in Lisbon and arrested 55 people during protests over soaring rents and housing shortages.

Lisbon in the Spotlight: Lisbon was named Europe’s best city and cruise destination for 2026, adding to its appeal for city breaks and cruise visitors. Portugal also collected top honours at the World Travel Awards Europe ceremony. Airline Shifts: Ryanair has left Ponta Delgada and Terceira in the Azores, while Lufthansa won a €1.2 billion TAP Air Portugal deal, with plans to transfer up to eight A350s to TAP after 2030. Island Weddings: Madeira and Porto Santo are promoting varied wedding experiences, from celebrations by the sea to island escapes. Algarve Surf: A new Sagres Sessions festival is putting the region’s surf scene in the spotlight.

Day Trips: Short excursions beyond major cities are gaining ground: 85% of surveyed travellers take them, and bookings on one tour platform are up 111% this year — a trend Portugal’s smaller towns and countryside could benefit from. Air Travel: TAP chief Luis Rodrigues expects high fuel costs to persist for three to five years, putting pressure on airlines to raise fares despite limited room to do so. Tourism Awards: Portugal was named Europe’s leading destination for 2026, while Lisbon won Europe’s best city and cruise destination titles. The Algarve also took the top European beach destination honour. Douro Cruises: Uniworld plans to add the São Rafael to its fleet in 2027, expanding its Douro River sailings.

Marine Conservation: Nearly 200 scientists are studying Madeira’s waters to assess marine life and how protected areas can help ecosystems withstand climate change. Tourism Honors: Portugal was named Europe’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards, with the Algarve, Azores, Lisbon and Dark Sky Alqueva also taking top honors; Lisbon was separately named Europe’s best city and cruise destination for 2026. Travel Connections: Lufthansa won the bid for a 44.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, a deal with potential implications for flights to and from Portugal. Lisbon Airport: Two more Metro strikes threaten morning journeys to the airport. Housing Pressure: Protesters camped in Lisbon and Porto over rising rents and housing costs, highlighting a challenge for residents as Portugal attracts visitors. Food and Wine: Lisbon hosted the ASI Best Sommelier of the World final, drawing more than 600 spectators to the event.

Tourism Awards: Portugal collected 32 European World Travel Awards, including Europe’s Best Destination. Lisbon was named best city and cruise destination, the Algarve best beach destination, Madeira best island, Porto best cultural city and the Azores best adventure region. Visitor Information: Lisbon Airport is introducing fixed taxi fares to curb overcharging, a practical change for arriving travellers. Housing Pressure: Affordable-housing protests have left tent camps in central Lisbon and Porto, including Lisbon’s Rossio Square, highlighting a growing challenge for residents and the tourism-heavy cities they share. Walking Holidays: The Alentejo Walking Festival returns with almost 50 routes, offering visitors a way to explore the region on foot.

Housing Pressure: Tents went up in Lisbon’s Rossio Square as protesters demanded affordable homes and higher wages; Portuguese house prices rose 124% from 2015 to 2024. Surf & Culture: Sagres will host its first three-day surf festival from October 30 to November 1, with adaptive surfing, music, workshops and beach clean-ups. Algarve Access: A new Newark nonstop is being promoted as a gateway to the Algarve, bringing the region’s beaches and historic towns within easier reach for US travellers. Getting Around Lisbon: Two planned Metro strikes could disrupt morning airport journeys, while the city has also suspended its shared e-scooter scheme over safety concerns. Active Escapes: The Alentejo Walking Festival returns with nearly 50 routes, offering a fresh way to explore the region on foot. Airline News: Lufthansa is set to acquire a 44.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, a major change for the country’s flag carrier and its travel connections.