While Spanish visitors remain ahead of Americans across Porto and Northern Portugal as a whole, the situation is already different in the Douro, where visitors from the US have moved into first place.

The latest figures also show an interesting contrast with the rest of the country. Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), reported by Jornal Económico, shows that Portugal recorded 19,300 fewer overnight stays by American tourists in July compared with the same month last year.

Greater Lisbon accounted for a fall of 16,900 overnight stays, or 6%, while the Algarve recorded 6,300 fewer stays, a decrease of 6.7%.

The North, however, went in the opposite direction. It recorded 10,700 more overnight stays from American tourists compared with July 2025, representing an increase of 9.3%. According to the figures, it was the only region in mainland Portugal to record growth from the US market during the month.

Americans discover the Douro

Luís Pedro Martins, president of Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal, told Jornal Económico that air connections have been an important factor behind the growth of the American market, particularly when it comes to long-haul visitors.

In the Douro, however, there is more than accessibility attracting American travellers.

Martins pointed to the region's cultural and natural heritage, together with its strong wine tourism offer. International promotion of Northern Portugal in the US has also played a role, with promotional activities taking place in several American cities.

More direct flights to Porto

Connections between Porto and North America have continued to grow.

Delta Air Lines launched its first direct service between New York JFK and Porto on 21 May this year. The daily route was introduced for summer 2026, adding another direct connection between the US and Northern Portugal.

Another American airline is already preparing to arrive in Porto. American Airlines has announced a new daily seasonal connection between Philadelphia and Porto beginning on 28 March 2027, using an Airbus A321XLR.

Luís Pedro Martins also highlighted TAP's connections between Porto and the United States, including Newark and Boston, when speaking about the importance of air connectivity for the American market.

US market growing in Portugal

Despite the fall recorded in July, the wider figures show that American tourism to Portugal has continued to grow.

Turismo de Portugal's TravelBI figures for the first six months of 2026 show that overnight stays by visitors from the US increased by 5.3% compared with the same period in 2025, while the number of American guests rose by 3.3%.

Tourism receipts from the US market increased by 8.1%, while the number of passengers arriving from the US rose by 5.7%. Purchases made in Portugal using American bank cards also increased by 13.4%.

The same Turismo de Portugal data places the US as Portugal's second-largest foreign market in terms of guests, with a 12.2% share, and third for overnight stays, with a 10% share, and tourism receipts, with an 11.8% share.

For the Douro, American visitors have already gone one step further, becoming the region's leading foreign tourism market.