Algarve loses tourists in last two years

According to data from AHETA (the Algarve’s association of hotels and tourist developments) the fall in hotel occupancy registered during the 12 months of 2008 continued right through last year. In other words, since November 2007, business in the Algarve’s hotels has been dropping like the proverbial lead balloon. According to AHETA president Elidérico Viegas “many hoteliers are at their wits’ ends – completely at a loss of how to keep their businesses afloat and staff in employment”. The global economic crisis and the huge plummet in the value of the pound in the UK – the main source of the region’s tourists – are the principal causes for the “disaster” playing out in the hotel sector. Viegas isn’t keen to make any forecasts for 2010, but judging by January’s statistics thus far, there’s no improvement in sight…