The international traffic of buses and coaches in Portugal experienced significant fluctuations from 2013 to 2023. The highest recorded value was in 2013 at 52.0 million vehicle-kilometers, followed by a drop in 2014 by 17.31%. The traffic saw minor recovery fluctuations until 2019, reaching a value of 37.7 million vehicle-kilometers. A drastic decline of 76.5% occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a substantial yet incomplete recovery by 2022, leading to a value of 32.37 million vehicle-kilometers by 2023, reflecting a 13.16% year-on-year increase. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years (2018-2023) stood at -2.34%.
Forecasts from 2024 predict a slow but steady decline in international traffic, expected to reach 28.77 million vehicle-kilometers by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR from 2024 to 2028 is -3.87%, indicating continued contraction in this sector.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impacts of sustainable travel initiatives and environmental regulations on long-distance coach travel.
- Technological advancements in transportation and potential shifts towards electric and autonomous buses.
- Evolving consumer travel patterns post-pandemic and the ongoing recovery of international tourism.
