The hotel occupancy rate in the Algarve could reach 80% in September, according to the president of the Algarve Hotel and Tourist Resort Association (AHETA), Hélder Martins, who also expressed a positive outlook for October, although slightly below that figure. In statements to the Lava news agency, the official stated that the favorable weather and the work carried out in recent years during these months contribute to these optimistic prospects.
The provisional data for August are not yet known, but Hélder Martins anticipated a favorable assessment, admitting that August likely matched the positive performance recorded in July. The president of AHETA acknowledged a decline in demand from Portuguese customers among the association's members, between hotels and tourist resorts, but highlighted that, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), there were increases in revenue, in the number of guests and in the number of Portuguese visitors, by 4%, compared to July.
Despite the challenges faced this year, including two wars, higher temperatures in central Europe and forecasts that Portuguese people would choose the Alentejo coast, the Algarve managed to withstand and present a strong performance. Hélder Martins considered that Portuguese people continue to believe in the region, although they may have preferred local accommodation, where they can cook and have more flexibility for families.
The first week of September is considered very important because schools have not yet started and many families seek the region during this period. After the beginning of the school year, there is a diversification of the tourist profile, with people who have more availability of time and greater purchasing power. Hélder Martins expects this trend to continue in September and October, which are still part of summer and allow the high season to be extended, before the months of November, December and January, which are the worst for the Algarve.
