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Some people really love Eurovision.

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People book holidays to get away from it all, unwind, and experience new cultures. Oh, and to worship at the feet of Eurovision winners, according to new findings that suggest the annual song contest has more influence over our annual leave than you’d think.

Portugal won Eurovision for the first time earlier this month, breaking a 53-year losing streak with Salvador Sobral’s showstopping performance of Amar Pelos Dois (Love For Both).


Thousands of people all over Europe celebrated the amazing success, from Eurovision fans to Portuguese leaders.

Salvador Sobral claimed it as a victory for quality music over the usual OTT silliness put forward at Eurovision with the memorable, if a little ridiculous ‘Music is not fireworks, music is feeling’ quote.



Well, it seems that UK holidaymakers liked his understated approach, as now Portugal has become one of the hottest holiday destinations of the year.

In the last 30 days, online travel agent Travel Republic recorded a 53% rise in holiday bookings after Portugal took the Eurovision 2017 title, compared to the period last year.

Popular holiday destinations such as The Algarve and Madeira have all seen an increase in bookings, but Sobral’s home town of Lisbon saw the biggest surge since that fateful Saturday, with a 154% increase in bookings, compared to the same period in 2016 when Ukranian singer Jamala took the Eurovision title.

Travel marketing director Naomi Wilkinson told Metro.co.uk that, while Portugal has always been a popular place for Brits for its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife, ‘it is interesting to see how the “Eurovision effect” has had a major influence on people’s holiday plans.’

In fact, some people plan their whole lives around Eurovision. David Hutchinson, a superfan from Woolstanton, Staffordshire, has been to every single Eurovision Soong Contest final since 1988, clocking over 36,000 air miles and spending £100,000 in the process.

Clearly, some people have too much disposable income.

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