The buzz about Portugal has been growing in the last few years, but can the country's upward visitor trend withstand the vagaries of the economy, fuel prices and the exchange rate?
The numbers tell the story. According to the Portugal Tourism Office, the destination saw a 20% jump in U.S. visitors in 2007, despite the steadily dropping dollar.
To accommodate the increase in tourism, there are 57 resorts set to open by the end of the decade, effectively doubling the number of hotel rooms in Lisbon alone. Most of the new properties in the capital city will be in the four- and five-star category, offering a testament to the destination's increased cachet among high-end travelers.
The spike in hotel demand in Lisbon began in 2005, which saw an 8% boost in tourism over the previous year.
New Lisbon properties include the CS Palace Gloria in the renovated Palacio dos Lumiares, set to open by 2010, and the La Hotel Lisbon Lanidor on Avenida da Liberdade, to open by the end of 2009.
By 2011 there will be 37 new hotels in the greater Lisbon region, which also includes Estoril, Sintra and Obidos.
Five of those will be situated in Nations' Park, originally built for Expo '98; three on Avenida Almirante Reis; and two on Avenida 5 de Outubro.
The Royal Obidos Golf Resort, with a scheduled opening in 2010 in Obidos, is a $260 million-plus project designed by architects Miguel Saraiva and Costa Lopes. The 230-acre resort will include a five-star hotel, townhouses and an 18-hole golf course.
Outside of Lisbon
Next to Lisbon, the region boasting the most hotel growth is Leiria/Fatima, with the construction of five four-star hotels. The number of properties in this area is in direct response to the growth in religious tourism, according to tourism officials.
Relatively new on the tourism scene is Estoril, which is looking to gain better recognition among international travelers.
With that in mind, Estoril expects to add 1,150 beds by the end of 2008, bringing the total in the region to 9,000. Of those, 85% are in the four- and five-star categories.
New five-star hotels on tap in this area include the Villa Italia, Oitavos, Miramar, Quinta do Barao, Vivamarinha and Hotel do Casino. In addition, the Cidadela, Atlantico and Grande Hotel are undergoing extensive renovations.
Projects in the Algarve region include the new five-star, 257-room Hotel-Apartamento Duna dos Salgados near Albufeira, the five-star Vila Real de Santo Antonio, the Amendoeira Golf Resort and the Almada d'Ouro.
A trend in Algarve is the proliferation of sports stars investing in hotels, including the five-star, beachfront Suites Alba Resort Carvoeiro in western Algarve.
The clifftop property is co-owned by Portuguese soccer star Luis Figo and features a spa, wine cellar and gourmet restaurant.
Luis Filipe Vieira, president of the Benfica sports club, is investing more than $270 million in a tourism complex near Altura and Praia Verde. The project, which has not yet begun construction, is expected to comprise accommodations, shopping venues and an 18-hole golf course.
Porto and northern Portugal
Porto and the northern regions of Portugal are among the country's newest hot spots, with a 12% growth in lodging that outpaces the national average.
More than $1.4 billion is set to be invested in the area by 2013, focusing on four regions: Minho, Porto, Tras-os-Montes and Douro.
Part of the attraction is the number of Unesco World Heritage sites, including the historical centers of Porto and Guimaraes, the rock paintings at Foz Coa and the winemaking Alto Douro area.
Locally made agricultural products also are a draw to the north region, including port wine and olive oil, with the Olive Oil Route in Tras-os-Montes, the Vinhos Verdes Route and the Port Route gaining in popularity.
New hotels in this region include the Hotel Melia Braga, set for a grand opening by 2010, and the Pousada de Viseu, to open in early 2009.
Especially notable is the historical Pousada do Porto-Palacio do Freixo, set to open by the end of 2009.
The project includes the restoration of the Antiga Fabrica de Moagens Harmonia factory and the reopening of its historical gardens and quay.
The new Hotel do Vinho do Porto, set to open in 2009 in Gaia, will be situated in port wine country and will offer tasting opportunities.
Tivoli Porto is nearing completion of an extensive renovation and will reopen by the end of 2009 under the direction of architects Joao Pedro Serodio and Miguel Cancio.
For more on the destination, go to www.visitportugal.com.