Portugal invests in infrastructure to meet growing tourism demand

21-05-24

Portugal's new government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, has announced an ambitious infrastructure investment plan to meet the growing tourism demand the country is experiencing. With tourism numbers at record levels, these initiatives seek to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of Portugal's transport links.

One of the main measures is the construction of a high-speed rail link between Lisbon and Madrid, which will significantly improve connectivity between the Iberian capitals. In addition, the government has unveiled plans for the construction of a new airport in Lisbon, which will include the construction of a new bridge over the mouth of the Tagus River. Lisbon currently has two major viaducts, the 25 de Abril and Vasco da Gama bridges, which connect the river banks.

A report by HuffPost highlights that the new airport, which will involve an investment of 9 billion euros, is designed to relieve the burden on the existing Humberto Delgado airport, which is located closer to the centre of Lisbon. The new airport site will be located in the municipality of Alcochete, some 40 kilometres east of the capital. Both the airport and the AVE to Madrid are expected to be operational by 2034.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said that these infrastructures will not only respond to current demand, but will also position Portugal as a top tourist destination, capable of handling large volumes of visitors efficiently and comfortably. The mega-investment in these infrastructures is seen as a crucial step towards the sustainable development of tourism in the country, ensuring that both tourists and residents benefit from these improvements.