Nautical tourism maintains a growth trajectory in Portugal, but the lack of infrastructure threatens to limit the sector's expansion. In the Douro, one of the country's main river tourism hubs, operators point to a positive high season. In 2025, the Douro Waterway recorded 1,388,646 passengers, compared to 1,377,858 the previous year, maintaining eight consecutive years of growth. The activity involved 113 operators, 252 vessels, and nearly 17,000 lock passages. Nationally, there are 2,577 registered maritime-tourism vessels, out of a total of more than 73,000 recreational vessels, and recreational boating involves more than 6,000 companies, 10,000 workers, and 556 million euros in business volume.
Demand in the Douro is strongly driven by international markets, with the United States taking particular prominence in the cruise-ship segment. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia are also among the main source markets. Pipadouro, a luxury river tourism operator, grew 14% in 2025 and 90% of its clients are foreigners. AAMTD estimates that river tourism in the Douro currently generates between 350 and 450 million euros per year and is responsible for more than 8,000 direct jobs.
AAMTD identifies the modernization and increase of operational capacity of locks as one of the factors that most constrains future growth. The requalification of quays and port infrastructure, environmental sustainability, the scarcity of qualified human resources, and the management of growing demand are also among the identified problems. Nationally, Fórum Oceano warns that in areas of highest demand, especially marinas and quays, capacity can be exhausted during the high season, and in the interior there are still places without quays or moorings. The sector also faces strong business fragmentation and lack of its own statistical data, which hinders strategic planning and access to financing.
Operators have made moderate price updates, but fuel, energy, maintenance, insurance, financing, and human resources costs continue to pressure margins. AAMTD argues that the challenge is no longer just about increasing the number of visitors, but about increasing the value generated by the activity. The shortage of qualified labor is another major problem, with difficulties in recruiting and retaining crews, specialized technicians, and professionals linked to tourism operations. The spokesperson for Fórum Oceano considers that the margin for growth remains significant, especially in inland waters and in the connection between nautical experiences, gastronomy, heritage, and nature.
