Portugal’s Algarve Expects Tourism Recovery in Summer 2022, Despite War Uncertainty
In addition, early bookings are considered “very encouraging,” AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
Such comments have been made by the President of the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA) as well as Algarve Tourism Association (ATA), João Fernandes, during the BTL tourism fair held in London, as reported by Portugal residents.
Besides, the same source shows that Faro Airport in Portugal will welcome passengers from six new routes during this summer.
In this regard, the head of the RTA has stressed that of the total of 23 countries that Algarve was already linked to, Hungary, and “unfortunately” Ukraine will be left out “for the reason we all know.”
In addition, authorities in Portugal have confirmed that Algarve is expected to be linked to a total of 53 destinations in significant markets such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands.
Airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Transavia, and British Airways will also operate air links to a total of 53 destinations during this summer, three fewer compared to the same period 2019 figures, before the spread of the Coronavirus and its new strains.
“We work directly with ANA Airports, as a joint effort, to attract tour operators and airlines,” Fernandes pointed out in this regard, stressing that airport authority “benefits greatly from the Algarve’s popularity.”
Fernandes added that the Algarve was able to maintain the Ryanair base at Faro Airport and also attract an EasyJet base during “turbulent times.”
“This was a great achievement. It gives us more flexibility today. We have two operators who are both competing for good performance from the Algarve. They are two partners working for a goal that benefits them both directly because they have a whole structure set up there (Faro Airport),” Fernandes highlighted.
Portugal’s travel and tourism sector has also been highly affected by the restrictions imposed by governments in order to halt its further spread and prevent an increase in the number of infections.
However, the figures provided previously by the National Statistics Institute (INE) revealed that the tourism industry in Portugal surged significantly in January 2022, after the number of accommodations reached a total of 853,200 and two million overnight stays.
In addition, the INE stressed that the tourism accommodation reached a 183.7 per cent increase on year-on-year rates, while overnight stays spent in Portugal increased by 185.9 per cent during the same period.
