Although the sentiment regarding the event's effects on the sector is not unanimous, representatives of the hotel industry share the conviction that the city's hotels are the ones that benefit from the event.

The Web Summit begins in Lisbon today (10 November), with more than 900 speakers and 70,000 participants, according to data from the organisation, in an initiative where artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be highlighted.

When questioned by Lusa, the executive vice-president of the Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP), Cristina Siza Vieira, said that, as in previous editions, "the vast majority of Web Summit participants are concentrated in Lisbon; the surrounding areas register only residual effects."

Without yet providing concrete data for this year, she recalled that the "Web Summit 2024 Balance" survey, conducted by the AHP, indicated that the average occupancy rate in Lisbon hotels during the week of the event last year was 88%, one percentage point higher than in 2023.

"Despite a slight moderation in demand, the city maintained a solid performance during the largest technology event in Europe," she noted.

This moderation is something that the Hoti Group, which owns several hotels in Lisbon, says it is experiencing this year in terms of the number of days participants stay.

"The occupancy rate of hotel rooms in Lisbon during the Web Summit period is quite high, but increasingly limited to the event dates, having weakened in the days before and after. Although occupancy remains at peak demand during the four days of the event, in the 10 total days traditionally boosted by the event, we can say that average occupancy has weakened this year by about 15%," stated the CEO, Miguel Proença, to Lusa.

Without specifying days, but with "practically 100%" occupancy at the Vila Galé Group in Lisbon, said the Marketing and Sales Director, Pedro Ribeiro, to Lusa.

At the Ópera hotel, occupancy grew "5%" compared to 2024, he added.

When questioned, managers acknowledge that the Web Summit drives up the average room price, although the Hoti Group points out that signs of cooling demand outside the main event days moderate the overall impact.

Miguel Proença stated that "the event's existence naturally boosts the average price in the city's hotels," but stressed that "over the 10 days traditionally impacted by the event, average prices hovered around €150 in the last two years, and the aforementioned loss of momentum on adjacent days brings with it an expectation of a drop of about 20%."

Pedro Ribeiro pointed to a 5% increase in rates at the Vila Galé Ópera compared to 2024.

Guest profiles

Regarding the profile of guests during these days, there is a strong international presence, especially from Europe, and a predominance of professionals linked to technology and business.

The head of the main association representing the sector mentioned the traditionally prevalent presence of professionals from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain, and the growth in recent years of the US.

A profile that "has remained consistent in the last editions of the event," recalled Cristina Siza Vieira.

However, Miguel Proença noted that – although still present – ​​the US gave a "smaller response this year." Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India, and Canada stand out more strongly in this chain.

Vila Galé, without specifying, pointed to guests from the European and Brazilian markets.

Lusa contacted several hotel groups and units, but it was not possible to obtain further responses in time.