The tourism sector in the Algarve returned to positive figures in the first half of 2019, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE) of Portugal, with an increase of 7.9% in total revenue.
There was also a 9.3% increase in the number of guests (2.17 million in total) and a 3.3% increase in overnight stays (8.62 million) compared to the same period in 2018.
“The Algarve tourism results of this first semester are positive, mainly because they reflect growth in revenues above demand, as well as the commitment of public and private operators to strengthen Algarve as a tourist destination”, the president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), João Fernandes, says.
The positive outcome of the domestic sector played a major role in these results, with 12.8% more Portuguese visitors in the southern country (592.000) and 11.3% more overnight stays (1.70 million), as well as the growth of foreign tourists: 8% more visitors (1.58 million in total) and 1.5% more overnights by non-residents (6.91 million).
Breaking the trend of the last two years, the British market grew during the first half of 2019, registering an increase of 6.8% in the number of guests (548,600 in total) and 1.9% in overnight stays (2.64 million). This was followed by Germany (833 700) and the Netherlands (603 300).
The Spanish market also has positive data to show, with an increase of 26.5% in the number of guests (168.600 in total) and 17.8% in overnight stays (up to 405.500). The Italian market should also be emphasized, with a significant increase of 61.5% in the number of guests (32.200) and 62% in overnight stays (99.100), as well as the growth of emerging markets such as Brazil, which increased by 30.6% in the number of guests (34.300) and 34.4% in overnight stays (87.000). On the other hand, the United States registered a growth of 14.6% in the number of guests (42.300) and 12.4% in overnight stays (111.400).