Iconic Films

2 for 1 tickets to Singin' In The Rain, this coming Monday. Book now

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
July 8, 2006

The ‘Ronaldo effect’ hits tourism

By Tom Chesshyre
CRISTIANO RONALDO may have helped to get Wayne Rooney sent off in the World Cup last Saturday — but the Portugal star could also have triggered a tourist slump in his homeland. Thomas Cook, www.lastminute.com, Opodo and Hotels.co.uk say that there has been a dramatic drop in sales to Portugal since the match.

Portugal has fallen from fourth to 15th in lastminute.com’s bookings, while Opodo’s sales have slumped by 14 per cent and Hotels.co.uk’s by 16 per cent. Last year 1.5 million Britons went to Portugal, spending £713 million, according to the Office for National Statistics. If just 0.5 per cent of Britons are put off visiting Portugal in “protest” at Ronaldo’s actions, it could cost the country £4 million in tourist revenue.

Antonio Silva, director of the Portuguese National Tourist Office, said: “I can’t believe there will be many people that will not go.”

Details: Portuguese National Tourist Office (020-7202 6379, www.portugal.com).

Also in Travel News

Also in Travel

Travel News   

Richard Morrison

open quote mark Spooked by tales of tourist attacks people have become cautious, but like Blanche Dubois, I always rely on the kindness of strangers abroadclose quote mark

More...
Richard Morrison

TRAVEL VIDEOS

Jennifer Howze with a Citroen 2CV

The travel movie show

Latest videos: a 2CV tour of Pas de Calais, Youth Hostels

Travel News   

Steve Keenan

open quote mark People are flying to Polish cities that they can't even pronounce, let alone place on a mapclose quote mark

More...
Steve Keenan

best read features

Travel News   

open quote mark Having spent a week in Dubai, I remain mystified as to why anyone would go there. It's one of the saddest and soulless places I've ever beenopen quote mark

More...
Andrew Craig, Leeds

Hotels in South East England 

Butlins at Bognor Regis

Latest review: Bultins, Bognor Regis

Boring food, sticky tables, thin walls and swirly carpets - the Mystery Guest bows out after one night

Best of Britain

North Yorkshire Walk

Local Knowledge

The best bits of Britain, revealed by the famous people who live there

A pair of hiking boots on pebble beach

Walk Britain

More than 100 walks from family days out to pub strolls, plus a London walks section

Viscount Coke & wife Polly with kids - Hermione, Juno, Ned & Bess. With Airstream Land Yacht at Holkham Hall

Under the stars

The best British campsites and more - tents, caravans and motorhomes just got sexy

Inside Travel



Travel Services

Travel Search

Destinations

Skip Destinations

World Map
EuropeEuropeAsiaMiddle EastSouth East AsiaAustralasia AfricaLatin AmericaNorth AmericaCaribbeanCaribbean

Holiday Type

Skip Holiday Type

Find a holiday

Search our Travel Directory

Focus Zone

Dr Zhivago

Top 100 Films:

Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets

horses

Alternative Investments:

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own racehorse or a beautiful painting?

Toyota Auris

Places & Spaces:

Enjoy comfort, safety, space and great design. Plus enter our great competition

Focus zone, pets, 100x100

Perfect Pets:

Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet

California

Totally California:

Are you California dreaming? Explore the wonders of the Golden State. Also enter our fantastic competition

Nikon D40X camera

Young Photographer:

Do you have what it takes to be a Times photographer?

Train your brain

Surprise Yourself:

Your brain is capable of more than you might think...

Wealth Management:

Find out to make the most of your money with our wealth management guides

Boards advertising property for sale and rent are seen in east London

Property Guides:

Need help with your property? We have an entire how to guide - buying, selling, letting, moving, to help you

Best 100 Green Companies

Best Green Companies:

We are seeking entries for the inaugural Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards

RSPB

Love Nature:

Enjoy some wonderful inspiring wildlife moments

James Bond eye image

James Bond:

An interactive preview of the brand new For Your Eyes Only exhibition

previous next

QUICKLINKS

Sudoku 

Skip Sudoku

70 x 70 JPEG

Now Interactive

Love Sudoku? Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizes

    Career/Jobs 

    Skip Career/Jobs

    70 x 70 JPEG

    Forget burnout, boreout is the new office disease

    Are you irritable when you return from work? Drained of emotion? You could be suffering from boreout

      Podcasts 

      Skip Podcasts

      70 x 70 JPEG

      The Bugle - Dead Hill Walking

      John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman beg Hillary to pack it in