Economy

Porto Santo has traditionally relied on agriculture as its chief source of income and employment. The island’s farmers grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as producing grapes for the local wine (available in the bars of Vila Baleira). Recent years have seen significant diversification in Porto Santo’s economy, particularly in the tourist industry and related construction work. Tourism increasingly dominates the island’s economy with many people working in hotels, bars, restaurants and other tourism-related enterprises.