More than half of the Portuguese population (59%) wish to pay for their holidays in interest-free installments, data revealed by Klarna on Tuesday indicate. This signifies that the ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) payment method is gaining traction in the tourism and travel sector.
“More than half (59%) of the national respondents” expressed a desire to “pay for high-value trips, such as accommodation or transport, in equal, interest-free installments,” according to a study shared with Notícias ao Minuto.
Klarna, a platform that enables such flexible payments, notes that “while the direct penetration of BNPL in holiday payments still has room to grow, the data reveals latent demand and significant interest from national travelers.”
“Additionally, 19% of respondents have already used BNPL for travel-related expenses—including transport, accommodation, activities, and essentials—indicating a growing adoption of this mode in comparison to traditional methods like credit cards (10%),” the released statement notes.
Furthermore, “when faced with the possibility of airlines or travel platforms offering interest-free BNPL, 50% of consumers stated that this option would positively influence their booking decision. This represents a strategic opportunity for companies in the tourism sector to use BNPL as a differentiator and loyalty factor.”
“BNPL is growing in Portugal, with significant presence in the tourism sector, where more brands are offering these solutions to consumers,” says Alexandre Fernandes, Country Manager for Klarna in Portugal and Spain, cited in the same release.
“As consumers seek more flexible alternatives to manage their budgets, especially during high-expenditure periods like summer, we believe BNPL can be a decisive factor in choosing destinations, airlines, and booking platforms. For brands, it represents a clear opportunity to increase conversion and improve the purchasing experience,” the same official states.
According to Klarna, “TAP Air Portugal, Booking.com, Airbnb, and eDreams are among the leading tourism brands that already offer Klarna as a payment option at checkout, allowing consumers to pay for their reservations in three equal, interest-free installments.”
