Portugal’s hoteliers association (AHP) has praised the Web Summit technology fair held in Lisbon last week for the business boost it gave hotels this month.
According to its president Raúl Martins, hotels in the Lisbon region saw bookings up from the usual 60-65% to around 90%.
As he pointed out, other big events like the Web Summit are needed to promote year-round tourism in Portugal and keep businesses and hotels busy all through the winter.
“No one wants any more congresses in May or October,” Martins said.
“The Web Summit was a good choice because it takes place outside peak season,” he added.
The AHP president also said that the idea of bringing big events to Portugal during the low season can be expanded to other cities and towns as well.
Martins’ statement came as he spoke to journalists on the opening day of the AHP’s 28th Congress, which is taking place in Ponta Delgada, Azores until tomorrow.
