Hotels in the Algarve are receiving last-minute cancellations due to the entry into force of new restrictions to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and the worsening of the epidemiological situation, said yesterday, 27 December, a responsible for the sector.
“We are seeing last minute cancellations following the restrictions, due to the worsening of the pandemic. We continue to have reservations, but our forecasts, which were very optimistic for this end of year, are not confirmed», said the president of the Algarve Hotels and Touristic Enterprises Association (AHETA).
According to Elidérico Viegas, the new restrictions and the worsening of the pandemic have led to "many cancellations", especially by the Portuguese, who are the ones who most seek out the region at this time of year, and also to a lower demand.
"Although there is still demand, the data we have now do not allow us to confirm the forecasts we had", said the official, expressing the hope that, throughout the week, there may be last minute reservations, in case there is a slowdown in the number of new cases.
In view of the worsening of the epidemiological situation in Portugal, due to the Ómicron variant, the Government decided to bring forward the measures planned for the so-called "contact contention week" that it would only be in January, for 00:00 on the 25th of December.
Among the measures enacted is the obligation to present a negative test in tourist establishments and local accommodation, when previously only the presentation of a digital certificate was required.
Among the measures is also the obligation to present a negative test to Covid-19 in restaurants, casinos and New Year's Eve parties on December 30th and 31st and January 1st.
According to the president of the largest regional hotel association, these restrictions “affect similar [restaurants and other establishments] more than hotels and enterprises that organize their own to wake up», despite the negative impact also on the accommodation sector.
Elidérico Viegas considers that the impositions denote "an excess of zeal on the part of the Government", since hotels and developments "are models of good practice", arguing that the requirements "are out of step with reality".
According to the official, despite the expectations of occupation in the Algarve during this period being better than those registered in 2020, "they fall far short" of 2019.
«We had quite optimistic perspectives, in line with what had been happening since the summer, with the increase in demand, especially from the internal market, and since the end of the year is characterized by an increase in demand from the Portuguese, we had these expectations," he reiterated.
Elidérico Viegas also recalled that more than 40% of the hotels and developments in the Algarve are currently closed, which was already the case, as it is the low tourist season.
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