Tourism is a vital sector in the Portuguese economy. Any initiative intended to expand tourism is always welcome by the Government of Portugal. Portugal continues its massive infrastructure development projects. The need to parallel such progress with more elaborate and complete passenger travel services increases, therefore, as well. In 1998 Portugal hosted the World Fair.
Consequently, Portugal has invested in upgrading facilities and developing sufficient
infrastructure in order to host these events. The metro in Lisbon is continuously expanding and a
new metro in Oporto, Portugal's second largest city, is expected to be ready by 2003. Moreover,
there are plans to build a new international airport in Lisbon by 2010, to build over USD 3 billion
in new highways and new football stadiums, to execute urban renewal projects in eight
Portuguese cities and to create a "Hollywood type" movie city in Cascais. To this, the private
sector has responded by building 20 new hotels in
Lisbon and 6 new hotels in Oporto. As Portugal undergoes these improvements in infrastructure,
it comes as no surprise that more tourists come to Portugal to enjoy its culture, monuments and
medieval towns, adventure vacations and eco-getaways. Tourist arrivals in Lisbon, for example, have increased over ten percent each year since 1998 is indeed the realization.
Presently, there are a total of 1,786 hotels, motels, tourism apartments and resorts; 569 agro/rural tourism lodging units; 183 camping parks totaling an area of 870.9 acres; and 50 youth hostels.
In January 2000, the total number of travel agencies was 1200. The latest statistical data on the number of restaurants is dated 1996. At that time, Portugal had a total of 35,633 restaurants and similar facilities (i.e. cafes, bars, bakeries, etc.). The tourism industry employs a total of 42.303 people.
Twenty new hotels are projected and some are already under construction. The completion
deadline for all hotels is 2004, the year when Portugal hosts the Euro 2004 European Football Cup
tournament. The investment of around USD 300 million will increase the hotel rooms in Lisbon
to 27,000 compared to the present 12,000 rooms, an increase of around 25%. Some new hotels
will use existing high-value and/or historical real estate. The refurbishing and remodeling of
some of Lisbon's older but valuable real estate will recuperate properties that have been ignored for many years.
Since the World EXPO took place in Lisbon in 1998, tourism has been increasing. By July 2000, the number of tourists to Lisbon had increased by 1.8 million and the hotel occupancy rate reached 76%. Tourist arrivals in the Lisbon International Airport have increased at a 10% rate per year since 1998.
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Friday 11 May 2012
Live Webcam from Portugal
Live webcam from Amoreiras Portugal
http://www.holidaywebcams.co.uk/featured_webcams/amoreiras_portugal_webcam.html
Monday 16 April 2012
Lisbon
Here are just some of the reasons why you just cannot
miss one of the most charming cities in Portugal and the world: LISBON
On the right hand side of the Tagus, Lisbon is a major European city, with a metropolitan area containing up to 2.5 million people (which means that 1 in 4 Portuguese people live in the Lisbon area). Lisbon has justly won three of the 2009 World travel Awards for Europe: Europe's Leading City Break Destination,Europe's Leading Cruise Destination and Europe's Leading Destination.
It seems that the city’s name stems from a Phoenician expression, “Alis-Ubbo”, which means “serene harbour”.
In fact, Lisbon was built around the immense Tagus’ mouth. Although the river’s mouth is quite large towards the west, it has a large gulf that gives it a somewhat oceanic quality. It was always a good port and it still is one of the most important ones in Europe today, but it is also good for a great variety of nautical sports. Lisbon is connected to the south by two very characteristic bridges, engineering masterpieces which give the capital a particular charm.
Lisbon has a dozen different faces, of different urban landscapes, each and every one with its own urban rhythms and lifestyles. With an undulating topography, many of its monuments are seen from afar on top of their hills. It has seven hills, all of them densely urbanised. Some say that Lisbon is, architecturally speaking, a white city, which gives it its markedly Mediterranean character.
Lisbon has an excellent transport network, especially its underground lines, abundantly decorated with artworks: each station has its own colour scheme and theme. Lisbon is also dotted with the picturesque yellow electric trams, whose trajectories are of great tourist interest.
This is a very sophisticated, complex and cosmopolitan city. It has always been like this, with people from all around the world walking its streets. It has an unrelenting appetite for culture, hosting a multitude of events, and dozens of attractions, theatres, night-life spots, football stadiums, churches and museums. You have no time to get bored in Lisbon.
Whatsmore, there is a typical cultural expression that was born in Lisbon: the Fado, a nostalgic, mysterious type of song that enthrals and awes all those who hear it.
Lisbon is made up of many different boroughs. In Lisbon - Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto you can find the hustle and bustle of an historic city. Lisbon - Belém, by the riverside, pays homage to the Portuguese Discoveries, with its great and renowned monuments.
If you like modern acrchitecture, you should not miss Lisbon - Eastern Lisbon where the Parque das Nações boasts a variety of facilities as well as cultural and leisure areas. Lisbon - Estrela, Lapa and Doca de Alcântara is a charming, quiet area of the city. By Lisbon- Greater Lisbon it is meant the wider area of the Portuguese capital.
On the right hand side of the Tagus, Lisbon is a major European city, with a metropolitan area containing up to 2.5 million people (which means that 1 in 4 Portuguese people live in the Lisbon area). Lisbon has justly won three of the 2009 World travel Awards for Europe: Europe's Leading City Break Destination,Europe's Leading Cruise Destination and Europe's Leading Destination.
It seems that the city’s name stems from a Phoenician expression, “Alis-Ubbo”, which means “serene harbour”.
In fact, Lisbon was built around the immense Tagus’ mouth. Although the river’s mouth is quite large towards the west, it has a large gulf that gives it a somewhat oceanic quality. It was always a good port and it still is one of the most important ones in Europe today, but it is also good for a great variety of nautical sports. Lisbon is connected to the south by two very characteristic bridges, engineering masterpieces which give the capital a particular charm.
Lisbon has a dozen different faces, of different urban landscapes, each and every one with its own urban rhythms and lifestyles. With an undulating topography, many of its monuments are seen from afar on top of their hills. It has seven hills, all of them densely urbanised. Some say that Lisbon is, architecturally speaking, a white city, which gives it its markedly Mediterranean character.
Lisbon has an excellent transport network, especially its underground lines, abundantly decorated with artworks: each station has its own colour scheme and theme. Lisbon is also dotted with the picturesque yellow electric trams, whose trajectories are of great tourist interest.
This is a very sophisticated, complex and cosmopolitan city. It has always been like this, with people from all around the world walking its streets. It has an unrelenting appetite for culture, hosting a multitude of events, and dozens of attractions, theatres, night-life spots, football stadiums, churches and museums. You have no time to get bored in Lisbon.
Whatsmore, there is a typical cultural expression that was born in Lisbon: the Fado, a nostalgic, mysterious type of song that enthrals and awes all those who hear it.
Lisbon is made up of many different boroughs. In Lisbon - Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto you can find the hustle and bustle of an historic city. Lisbon - Belém, by the riverside, pays homage to the Portuguese Discoveries, with its great and renowned monuments.
If you like modern acrchitecture, you should not miss Lisbon - Eastern Lisbon where the Parque das Nações boasts a variety of facilities as well as cultural and leisure areas. Lisbon - Estrela, Lapa and Doca de Alcântara is a charming, quiet area of the city. By Lisbon- Greater Lisbon it is meant the wider area of the Portuguese capital.
Friday 15 October 2010
Experience Portugal
Welcome to the experience Portugal blog, bringing you all the latest information related to travel in Portugal.
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