Algarve tourist figures recover (September 2009)

12/9/2009

In comparison to tourism figures from August 2008, August this year may not have fared as poorly as was expected, given the current economic circumstances (which are believed to be now near-approaching some form of stability).

The overall average occupational rate for accommodation across the region was identical to last year, the Algarve being 90.5 percent full.

By geographical areas the most significant differences were found in Faro and Olhão, where occupation dropped by 6.4 percent; Tavira, where the region's accommodation saw 3.9 fewer visitors, and Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, which registered 2.6 percent fewer visitors.

In Vilamoura, Quarteira and Quinta do Lago there was a slight increase of 2.1 percent in occupational rates, which also rose by 1.2 percent in Lagos and Sagres.

Monte Gordo and Vila Real de Santo António were the busiest regions of the Algarve, where 97.6 percent of that area's accommodation was occupied. Faro and Olhão had the largest quantity of available rooms, with accommodation in that region being only 70.2 percent full.

According to the Algarve Regional Hotel and Tourist Resort Association (AHETA)'s monthly newsletter, a drop in occupational rates was most noted in two-star hotels and apart-hotels, which dropped by 10.5 percent, and in two and three star tourist villages and resorts.

More people chose to stay at four and five star hotels, where occupational rates increased by 7.3 percent.

By nationality, the Portuguese made up 40.6 percent of all visitors to the region, followed by the British (23.3 percent) and the Spanish (8.1 percent).

Overall revenue earned by the end of August was down by 2.2 percent this year, in comparison to the same month last year.

Source : The Portugal news