Portugal is expected to receive 150,000 Chinese tourists in 2015, according to Portuguese authorities cited by local newspaper Público.

João Cotrim de Figueiredo, President of the Turismo de Portugal institute – under the Portuguese Ministry of Economy – announced the forecast during a seminar on Friday, in Lisbon, to present the ‘Welcome Chinese’ international certification. The ‘Welcome Chinese’ certification acknowledges businesses making a special effort to serve Chinese tourists and business travellers.

Mr Cotrim de Figueiredo said there is “great potential” for increasing the number of tourists coming from China. The European market however is still the most important market to Portugal, the official said, quoted by the Portuguese newspaper.

According to Portuguese news agency Lusa, Mr Cotrim de Figueiredo also said that in the next two years China could be among the top 10 markets of tourists to Portugal.

“In order for that to happen, [the number of] Chinese tourists should reach 300.000 to 350.000. I believe it can be done,” he added.

According to newspaper Público, in the first nine months of this year 119,000 Chinese tourists visited Portugal, up by 38 percent from the same period last year. In 2014, the number of Chinese visitors to the country increased by 49 percent year-on-year, the media outlet added.

The ‘Welcome Chinese’ international certification sets standards in several business categories for hospitality aimed at Chinese travellers. The scheme was launched in 2013, following a partnership signed between Select Holding and the China Tourism Academy.

In Portugal, the programme is represented by business consultancy Edeluc, newspaper Público said.

According to the report, the Freeport Fashion Outlet centre, located in Alcochete village, in Lisbon’s metropolitan area, will be the first entity in Portugal to earn the ‘Welcome Chinese’ certification.