A panel of travel experts at Clickstay.com – a British holiday home rental website – has voted the Algarve the best destination for British tourists this summer.
The Algarve received 52% of the votes from the website’s “in-house travel pros”, who cited “successful control of coronavirus” as one of the key factors why the region received more votes than the Greek Islands (23%), the Canary Islands (15%) and the South of France (10%).
“Local government has done fantastic work in limiting the spread of the virus and put in sensible measures to ensure people can enjoy their holiday safely,” said Tom Hughes, founder and MD at Clickstay, in a press statement sent to the Resident.
“We are really impressed with the measures taken by local authorities to limit the spread of the virus, and think the wealth of outdoor activities on offer make the Algarve the perfect destination for a summer holiday this yea,” Hughes said.
“The use of technology, such as the Info Praia app, which provides tourists real-time information about the level of occupancy of the beach, is a great example of how the government is being innovative in its approach.”
Clickstay points out that “Portugal recorded a considerably lower number of Covid-19 cases than the UK, so is considered low risk by the UK government”.
“Meanwhile, the Portuguese government believes the UK has got the virus ‘under control’ and is calling for a so-called ‘air bridge’ between the two countries, which would allow British tourists to go on holiday to the Algarve without having to quarantine on arrival,” it adds.
The website’s experts cited the range of activities which tourists can enjoy safely as the main reason why the Algarve stands above other destinations in Europe.
“Tourists will be able to visit the vast range of beaches without worrying about overcrowding, thanks to social distancing measures and dedicated beach assistants,” they said.
Clickstay adds that swimming, watersports, and surfing are also allowed, another “big boost for the region’s tourism prospects”.
“Many of our customers love to go surfing in their summer holidays, so being able to do that in a safe environment would be a massive attraction,” said Tom Hughes.
The Algarve’s geography is also highlighted as an advantage.
“With city breaks pretty much a no-go this summer, the Algarve’s wealth of sun and outdoor activities make it an ideal destination for a safe and enjoyable holiday,” said Hughes.
Clickstay’s website user data has reflected the panel’s decision, with a 163% increase in views of Algarve properties in May compared with April, suggesting users are preparing to book. Click here to see the full study.
