That the crisis exists and is very deep, everyone recognizes. But how are Algarve hotels trying to adapt to this moment of sharp decline in tourism? There are those who bet on special discounts, on longer stays, compatible with telecommuting, and even on strategies thinking about the post-pandemic. Even so, there are also those who think that, no matter how many turns, the effort is inglorious…because «there are no customers».
The Covid-19 pandemic greatly affected the hotel industry. Flights have decreased, tourists do not reach the Algarve and the impacts, even during low season, are notorious. In such a way that it is estimated that, at the moment, 80% of the hotels in the Algarve are closed.
It is true that October, November and December would always be the weakest months (they are in the middle of the low season), but nothing compares to what is happening this year. “As dynamic as the hotel industry is, it has been very difficult. But we didn't give up», he tells the Sul Informação João Soares, director of the emblematic Dom José Beach Hotel, in Quarteira, and delegate in the Algarve of the Hotel Association of Portugal (AHP).
Not lowering your arms really seems to be the only thing to do. At Dom José, explains its director general, there are «weekend promotions, upgrades for rooms with sea view and also a bet on longer stays, with discounts of up to 40%».
Those who, until November 30, make reservations for the first months of next year, will also have discounts ranging from 20 to 25%. Just go to the hotel's website and see the diversity of offers available there.
The hotel currently has an occupancy rate of 10%, being sought, for example, by «some companies from corporate during the week, for meetings», says João Soares.
But there is no possible comparison with November 2019, when the occupancy rate was 86%…
«It can be seen around here. The level of cancellations has been high, especially on holiday weekends, when it was decided that you cannot move between municipalities. Everything has to be seen almost day by day», laments the hotelier.
In the hotel Faro, in the Algarve capital's downtown, efforts have also been made to try to combat “the breakdown of traditional tourism”.
“Reserves are residual and we are trying to make a comeback. People are telecommuting and we have launched an offer for longer stays, with all the facilities. We have gathered, with the experience we have, the best conditions so that people can bet on this initiative», he tells, to Sul Informação, Sofia Hipólito, the general director.
With offer “Your House, in Faro», the hotel offers breakfast, cleaning service, access to gym, sauna, Turkish bath, space for coworking for those who like to have some company or make synergies.
The hotel unit created 15-day and 1-month packages, starting at 875 euros, and so far the balance is positive.
“Fortunately, we have been in demand. Every day we receive contacts. For now, we have two reservations and we note that the initiative is arousing interest. This package, with all the facilities it incorporates, is unique», considers the general director of the Hotel Faro.
Even so, despite attempts not to let such a strategic sector for the Algarve die, the crisis is undeniable – and even these efforts deserve the repairs of some.
“We have 80% of hotels closed. The situation is practically one of despair. Even those who are trying to adapt, have low occupancy rates», considers Elidérico Viegas, president of the Association of Hotels and Touristic Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA).
For this responsible, "the effort is to be highlighted, but they are only complements that do not solve the problem".
«The falls were abrupt, the situation got worse and the perspectives of some put on on holidays they fell to the ground with the new measures to restrict circulation,” he adds.
Elidérico Viegas calls for urgent measures for the Algarve. «There is a situation of despair! The specificity of the Algarve and tourism has not been taken into account. The support itself is slow to arrive, because the bureaucracies involved are excessive», he says.
Pedro Lopes, director of the Pestana Group in the Algarve, asks for the same. Also heard by Sul Informação, the official argues that "this has to be the time to support companies and the economy in the region".
"I think that, in the next two, three months, we will have to take measures to prevent the spread of unemployment, because this is terrible and there is no way back", he says.
In the Algarve, only one of the Pestana Group hotels remains open: Alvor Praia, in Portimão. All the others closed and even this one “has a low occupation”.
“If there are no flights, there is no tourism and no hotels. Most of our customers come from the UK and Germany and are now unable to travel. Even the national market is blocked, with the current restrictions on circulation between municipalities, for example», illustrates Pedro Lopes.
Despite this reality, at Grupo Pestana, the staff “has remained”.
And couldn't this break time be used to bet on new initiatives? The administrator of the Pestana Group in the Algarve is authoritative: «it is not worth trying to find great alternatives, if there are no clients».
But not all hoteliers think so. O Sul Informação He also spoke with Lino Martins, commercial director of the AP Hotels & Resorts group, which has six hotels in the Algarve, of which only two are open: the EVA, in Faro, and Victoria Sport & Beach, in Albufeira.
Hotel Oriental (Portimão), Maria Nova Lounge Hotel and Cabanas Nature Resort (Tavira), as well as Adriana Beach Club (Albufeira) are closed…because there are no clients.
Even so, the commercial director of the AP group explains how the break is being used to "renovate the site, create new images, videos and bet on virtual visits to all units". "We believe it's a way of putting ourselves in the pole position to be attractive», when the market resumes, he summarizes.
In the two open hotels, new bets were also made. «At the EVA Hotel, which has an occupancy of 30%, we created the “Breakfast”, a program of brunches at the weekend, which has been in great demand, in addition to special campaigns, with discounts on reservations», begins by explaining Lino Martins.
At Victoria, in addition to some works on the hotel, «the focus is on attracting top-level athletes», since this unit has, for example, an athletics track and a grass field.
“Although we only have 15% occupancy, we have athletes from Hungary, Poland, Norway or the Czech Republic. Interestingly, the fact that we have few people in the hotel has served as an attraction», says the commercial director of the AP group.
As for Christmas and New Year, times when, in a normal year, the influx of tourists to the Algarve would be greater, opinions are also different. At the Hotel Eva, «in addition to news that are yet to be announced», the traditional packages «are in great demand».
In turn, Pedro Lopes, from the Pestana Group, considers that "it is an illusion to make plans without even knowing if people will be able to circulate".
At Dom José, there is already a package for New Year's Eve, but “cancellations have existed”. “For example, we have a reservation of 35 rooms that can always be changed”, says the director of the hotel in Quarteira.
The situation is symptomatic of these new times in the Algarve hotel industry, in which, even with adaptations and new ideas, «everything has to be seen day by day».
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