The Algarve surpassed, in August, the numbers of 2019, the best tourist year ever, according to data from the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve. For Hélder Martins, the way in which the sector «is coming out of two years of deep crisis is fantastic».
In August of this year, the occupancy/room rate was 93,1%, higher than in 2019 (92,9%), a year that was considered the best ever in terms of tourism.
In statements to the Sul Informação, the leader of AHETA was satisfied with these results, but confessed that, «personally, he expected even more».
“The way the sector is coming out of two years of deep crisis is fantastic. Regarding the occupancy rate, it is very good, but in terms of costs, not so much, because, as we know, they also increased», he considered.
Last month, the national markets (+5,5 percentage points – pp.) and the Irish (+1,1pp) contributed the most to the increase in the occupancy rate.
On the other hand, the Spanish (-1,4pp) and German (-1,0pp) markets were the ones with the greatest declines.
By geographic area, the biggest increases occurred in Lagos/Sagres (+3,2pp), Tavira (+1,8pp) and Carvoeiro/Armação de Pêra (+1,0pp).
Albufeira, the main tourist area in the Algarve, recorded an increase of 0,4pp compared to 2019. Sales volume also increased by 12,1 percent compared to the same month of 2019.
Despite the observed recovery, Hélder Martins does not believe that the region will end the year with numbers, in general, higher than 2019.
«We are, once again, in a difficult context, but we will continue to work because tourism is a resilient sector», concluded the president of AHETA.
Comments