According to data from Google Trends, the Azores are the third most searched domestic tourist destination on that powerful search engine, after Porto and Madeira.
Ponta Delgada also appears in the top list of search rankings as the most popular destination.
In turn, over the last 12 months Portugal has been the third most searched country on Google Flights and in July this year, Portugal is being searched for more than ever in the category of worldwide tourist destinations.
Portugal is on the rise in searches on Google, with the country ranking third in the last 12 months and leading in July when analyzing searches in the category of tourist destinations worldwide.


Analyzing the data provided by Google, cited by Publituris, among the main domestic destinations searched for as holidays/tourism last year, Porto comes in first place, followed by Madeira, a destination which, for example, reached a 10-year high worldwide this year, and the Azores.
Viseu, Funchal, Cascais, Ponta Delgada and Berlengas also appear in this ranking.
Interestingly, over the last few years, rural tourism, which used to be more sought after in inland regions, has started to register more search interest throughout the country.
As for the foreign destinations most sought after by the Portuguese as a vacation/tourism destination, Brazil stands out, followed by the Maldives, Turkey, Santorini, and Bali.
Looking at what the Portuguese are looking for, Google Trends shows that last year Disneyland Paris and the Eiffel Tower were the two most searched foreign tourist sites in Portugal.

The search for luxury

Another of the trends revealed by Google Trends is travelers’ interest in luxury getaways.
However, as the cost of living continues to impact people’s finances, travelers also want value for money, and Google Trends shows that there are significantly more searches for “best” than “cheap” in the travel category.
In 2024, people are making affordable luxury happen through impactful travel experiences.
This includes, for example, upgrades – 54% of travelers would pay for accommodation upgrades and 47% are willing to invest in upgrades on flights or train journeys, as long as it’s not too expensive – and paying more for a stay in a boutique hotel or an exclusive and unique adventure.
Another way in which the affordable luxury trend is developing is through the rise in popularity of “dupes destinations”.
These are more affordable places that have all the charm and luxury of their more popular counterparts.
Large-scale sporting and cultural events have also had an impact, with 2024 being marked by the UEFA European Football Championship and the Summer Olympics taking place consecutively in Germany and France, with Euromonitor predicting that sales of global sports tourism packages will increase by 15% in 2024.
As a result of this influx of sports and music fans in the region, the number of trips is expected to increase – with people from as far away as North America planning trips to various countries before and after these mega-events.
According to Google, sustainability is also “on the right track” with the big train journeys.
Ecotourism is not a new trend in the industry, but it remains a priority for brands and consumers.
Train journeys have gained particular prominence this year – including overnight journeys.
This type of travel can make long-distance journeys more convenient and is a unique experience in itself. According to Euromonitor, rail travel is the fastest-growing category of travel worldwide.
This is a growth of more than 35% during 2023-2024, with a third of eco-adventurers saying they prefer train travel to air travel

in Diáro dos Açores-Osvaldo Cabral, director (Photos, from online sources from various islands in te Azores.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.