Increase in foreign tourists expected to Portugal
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The Institute for Tourism and Development and Planning (IPDT) has stated that while there will be less national tourists coming this summer, foreign tourism figures are expected to be compensated for the reduction of Portuguese vacationers this year.
This is IPDT's 36th barometer which is based on questionnaires that have been filled out during the month of June of this year by about 100 IPDT's membership. This conclusion was reached by around half the panel or 46.8%. They've predicted that the national figures for tourism will grow overall this summer when compared to the figures received last year.
Antonio Jorge Costa, who is president of IPDT told the Lusa News Agency the following: "The majority think that the sector's evolution will be sustained, above all, by the external market." He added that 58.8% of participants have estimated that there will be more foreign tourism who will visit Portugal than what happened last year.
It is believed that this rise in visitor flow will convert into a revenue increase from the market at large.
Of the 10 participants' questions, 7 believed that the revenue volume generated by these international visitors will be either better or the same as it was in 2010.
With internal tourism, the outlook is bleaker - a reflection of the current fiscal situation is. The majority of people polled found that there is not only an expected fall in the number of national tourists expected (41.2%), but the revenue volume will be decreased as well. (62.9%)
There have been other conclusions also drawn from the barometer reading about Portugal. Increasingly Brazilians have sought tourism opportunities in Portugal this summer, and three out of four survey participants felt that this was the case.
Brazilian holiday-goers are followed by German tourists who survey participants believe that the majority (64.5%) also feel that Irish tourists are also visiting Portugal this year versus last year.
2011 appears to be on a better track than 2010, this according to 34.2% of survey participants, while 37% feel it will be the same, and 26% feel that it will be worse. Overwhelmingly 89% felt that the primary threat to the performance of tourism lies in the current economic instability.
With that said, in spite of belt-tightening across the board, many households in Portugal are preparing for summer vacations. Algarve has this year emerged as one of the key vacation destinations with estimates for the second two weeks in July and the whole month of August indicating regional hotels are full.
There still remains some availability for the upcoming week, it was stated.
In order to attract tourists, a number of Algarve hotels have been slashing prices to bare minimums in order to attract patrons. For instance, it is quite possible to book a week in an Albureira hotel with half board for as little as €357 or only €51 daily during peak season.
Algarve Hotel and Tourist Resort Association AHETA head, Eldérico Viega, recently talked about the area as "a holiday destination for all wallets," adding that, even in five-star hotels, "there are very different prices."
He further estimates that Portuguese tourists will make up about 30% of the regions visitors and vacationers over this summer period, and that the Brits will add another 30% to the mix.
For information on buying Algarve Property & Property in Portugal Contact the Team via email at: info@portugalproperty.com or call free on +44 (0) 800 014 8201.
Published in: News and Updates