International sporting events such as F1 Grand Prix e MotoGP, the Portugal Masters, in golf, the Tour of the Algarve by bicycle and five sailing competitions, have “special relevance” to reinforce the “message that it is safe to visit” the Algarve and that the “region is prepared to receive tourists from different origins”.
The message is passed on by the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), in a note sent to the press, which emphasizes that «the attraction of major events of an international nature generates new reasons of interest for visiting the region».
«The holding of major sporting events in the Algarve in April and May mark the resumption of tourist activity in the region after a break forced by the pandemic. The destination has exceptional natural conditions for the practice of outdoor sports, such as golf, cycling or sailing, and has support infrastructure that allows hosting high competition activities, such as the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, golf courses acclaimed among the best in the world and unique conditions for nautical tourism, in addition to a qualified hotel park, served by an international airport», says the RTA.
For João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve, «the holding of this type of major international event, in such a short space of time, is excellent news for the country and for the region, allowing us to communicate to the world that the Algarve is a destination tourist safe and ready to receive tourists. With the deconfinement program and the vaccination plan underway, we believe that this summer will definitely mark the beginning of the sector's recovery».
Sport Tourism is inscribed in the matrix of the Strategic Plan for Tourism in the Algarve, considering that it is an area that benefits the region's economy, as it “allows, on the one hand, the development of the tourist offer in the destination and, on the other, integrates modalities whose calendar is longer throughout the year'.
«In addition, the sporting events that generate interest on a world scale also produce relevant effects of notoriety and international projection for the Algarve brand. In this context, Algarve Tourism acts in two strategic axes, in order to impact tourists whose main motivation for travel is to participate in sporting activities, as practitioners, and to encourage visits to the region through the sporting spectacle, in which tourists are mere spectators'.
«This return to some normality could dictate the beginning of the recovery and generate a significant communication and economic impact for the region. Despite being unique opportunities, we maintain a broader calendar of initiatives, in order to continue, in the coming months, to generate motivations to visit the Algarve, always in safety», adds João Fernandes.
Events calendar:
Formula 1 Heineken Grand Prix of Portugal
Date: April 30th to May 2nd
Location: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão
MotoGP Grand Prix of Portugal
Date: April 16th to 18th
Location: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão
Portuguese Masters
Date: April 29th to May 2nd
Location: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura
Back to the Algarve
Date: May 5th to 9th
Location: Algarve
Sailing Events
Finn's European Championship (10-16 April)
Warm Up Regatta 470 (April 11th to 14th)
Laser Olympic Qualification Test (April 17th to 24th)
European Championship Class 470 (April 30th to May 7th)
European Raceboard Championship (July 3rd to 7th)
Location: Vilamoura
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