Hotel industry experiencing surge in hiring during Easter season
The Easter season of 2025 sees a significant uptick in labor demand across select Portuguese cities, including Porto, Braga, and Lisbon. These cities are leading the charge due to their popularity as tourist destinations and expanding hospitality industries.
According to Eurofirms - People First, recruitment for tourism and hotels is already on the rise, mirroring expectations of a 4% growth in tourist overnight stays in Portugal compared to the 80 million recorded in 2024. The hotel occupancy rate is predicted to reach 82% in some municipalities during the period spanning 14-20 April, with hotspots like the North region, Porto and Braga; Greater Lisbon, namely Lisbon and Setúbal; the Algarve, Faro; and Madeira, Funchal, and Santa Cruz, experiencing the highest demand.
With an anticipated increase of 32 million tourists, the hospitality and tourism sectors are driving the employment growth in this period. sought-after roles in these sectors include cleaning and food service positions such as cooks, kitchen assistants, chambermaids, and customer service profiles like receptionists. The market saw an increase in recruitment of over 10% between January and February 2025, spurred by the Easter season rush.
Lisbon, as the capital and largest city, remains a magnet for international tourists, creating a multitude of employment opportunities in hotels, restaurants, and related services. Porto's unique cultural charm and wine tourism industry contribute to its surging hospitality sector and burgeoning job market. Emerging tourist destination Braga also benefits from its historical sites and proximity to other northern cities, driving growth in tourism support roles.
Apart from frontline hotel staff and food and beverage workers, job roles in the tourism sector include multilingual tourist guides, customer service representatives, event coordinators, and travel agents. Around 1,500 temporary summer jobs are expected in the tourism sector alone, catering to peak seasonal labor needs.
The growth in Portugal's tourism sector parallels broader trends across Europe, with overall tourism revenues forecasted to rise by about 6% in 2025[4]. The country's focus on service quality, strategic location within Europe, and welcoming approach to expat workers further bolster opportunities in tourism-related roles[3].
In conclusion, if you're in the market for a job in the tourism sector, consider Lisbon, Porto, or Braga as prime destinations for opportunities. The job market is diverse, with roles ranging from hotel operations and food services to guiding and event management, with temporary summer jobs pushing the total openings to over a thousand positions[1][3][4]. Don't miss out on this exciting employment boom!
- The Algarve region, specifically Faro, is anticipated to experience a surge in tourism demand during the Easter season of 2025, contributing to its growing job market.
- As the European tourism market continues to grow, Portugal's tourism revenues are forecasted to increase by approximately 6% in 2025, with an emphasis on service quality and a welcoming approach to foreign workers.
- In addition to job opportunities in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga's traditional tourism sectors like hotels and restaurants, niche roles such as multilingual tourist guides, event coordinators, and travel agents are also expected to see significant growth, with over 1,500 temporary summer jobs available in the sector.
