Os Portuguese people maintain their preference for sun and beach destinations, such as Cape Verde, the Caribbean and Brazil, this Easterbut vacations are also used to take other trips, whether in Europe, or longer and different trips. Tour operators and travel agencies contacted by Lusa also point to the demand for Portuguese islands, cultural circuits in Europe and intercontinental trips to destinations such as Japan, Australia and Peru, reflecting a growing diversity in holiday choices.
At Solférias, the operations manager, Sónia Regateiro, told Lusa that the tour operator’s ‘Top’ 5 is “Cape Verde, Disneyland Paris, Brazil, Senegal and Tunisia”. Some of these destinations are confirmed by Agência Abreu’s general sales director.
“During this period, the destinations of sun and beach, with the Caribbean and Cape Verde at the top of the Portuguese’s preferences. Tunisia, Spanish Islands, Portuguese Islands and Disney They are also highly sought after, as they combine proximity, diversity of experiences and security”, says Pedro Quintela.
On circuits and large trips, the Abreu manager says that it continues to be seen “a consistent search for organized programs, reflecting the Portuguese interest in more complete and differentiating experiences (…)”reinforces.
Lusanova highlights the Azores and Madeira in Portugal, but says that, on the Continent, “there is a relevant niche” that seeks the operator’s circuits. “two to three days, especially those that combine the north of Portugal with Santiago de Compostela, in Spain”says the operational director.
“In Europe – which continues to concentrate the greatest demand at this time of year – the highlights are Italy, Benelux, United Kingdom and Ireland, Iceland, Greece, as well as the Balkans, with emphasis on Croatia and Albania. Outside of Europe, Morocco and Egypt continue to be popular destinations for Portuguese tourists, and, in the case of the latter, demand has slowed down a little in recent days. Japan, Argentina and Chile have continued the trend since last year, while Brazil and Peru register the highest growth“, Tiago Encarnação also highlighted.
Like what happened at the end of the year, Pinto Lopes Viagens confirms “the growing importance of differentiating trips” in its sales. “With the offer of Pinto Lopes Viagens, specialized in group and author cultural trips, the Portuguese continue to take advantage of the Easter break to take longer and different trips, particularly to intercontinental destinations such as Japan, Australia, Brazil or Peru”says the executive president (CEO).
Rui Pinto Lopes adds that, “at the same time, this is also a particularly strong time of year for European destinations”, with emphasis on the Croatia, southern Italy, Central Europe, Iceland and Switzerland.
Portuguese destinations
In Portugal, and why”Easter continues to assert itself as a very relevant period, both for longer distance trips and closer cultural circuits”, Pinto Lopes launched two proposals this year focused on the celebrations of Holy Week and the appreciation of local heritage and traditions — Holy Week in Ribatejo and Alentejo and Holy Week in Transmontana.
According to those responsible, the Portuguese people’s demand for travel in Easter remains globally stable in relation to 2025, with occasional signs of growthat higher prices and in an environment of prudence that, even so, did not curb the desire to travel.
Pricing
“Sales volume for the Easter period is globally in line” with 2025said the general director of Sales at Agência Abreu, to Lusa. The Lusanova operator experiences an identical stability scenario. “Bookings for Easter are occurring within normal limits, in line with past years. We are not registering significant changes in demand behavior”, says Tiago Encarnação.
Solférias points to moderate growth, but conditioned by external factors. “So far we have recorded an increase of 7% for the Easter period compared to 2025with sales experiencing a decrease compared to expectations due to cancellations of reservations for destinations affected by the war in the Middle East”, admits the ‘Chief Operating Officer’ (responsible for operations), Sónia Regateiro, to Lusa.
The feeling of prudence is also noted by Pinto Lopes Viagens. “Bookings for Easter are evolving positively. In recent weeks, the international context has brought some additional caution on the part of customers, which is natural, especially in the case of travel to regions closer to areas of instability.”
Rui Pinto Lopes anticipates a similar balance to the previous year. “At this stage, our expectation is that the Easter operation will be in line with that of 2025.”
The prices have been updated, but indicate different intensities. “As happened last year, the rise in prices has not slowed down demand, reflecting the strong desire of the Portuguese to travel”, says Pedro Quintela. Sônia Regateiro says that “Prices are higher, given the general increase in inflation in air services and hoteliers and recently as a result of the increase in fuel fees by airlines”.
Pinto Lopes Viagens also points to external factors as determining factors, as it works, above all, with the international market and, “In this context, prices continue to be conditioned by several external factors, namely the evolution of exchange rates”.
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