The collaborative laboratory Knowledge to Innovative Professions in Tourism (KIPT) and the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) conducted a study entitled Immigrants in the profession of tourism and hospitality in the Algarve.

The report, currently only available in Portuguese, focused on migration dynamics and the living conditions and expectations of immigrants who work in tourism and hotels in the region. Research included a survey taken by 499 migrant workers, conducted between September 2023 and January 2024. The report highlights 3 common migrant profiles within this group, obtained using cluster and discriminant analysis methodologies:

• Profile 1: 47.8% of respodents, predominantly young Brazilian adults, fall into the category of “immigrants with cultural affinity to Portugal and socioeconomic needs”. These young people tend to be seeking financial stability and a safer lifestyle.
• Profile 2: 43.9% of respondents said that they moved to Portugal in search of a better quality of life and new opportunities. This group comprises young people from Brazil, India and Nepal, who are mostly single and have completed secondary and higher education.
• Profile 3: Accounting for 8.3% of the total population surveyed, this profile covers those who moved to the region for work and professional development. They tend to be young Europeans who are highly qualified and who value contact networks and skills development opportunities.

Detailed analysis of these 3 profiles is provided, which suggests that in order to maximise the retention and satisfaction of immigrants, specific public policies must be designed to meet the different motivations and expectations of these groups. The report concludes that “valuing quality of life, supporting professional training and creating conditions for social integration are fundamental to strengthening the presence of these workers in the tourism sector and for the sustainable development of tourism in the region and the country”.