Six millions euros is how much the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) will have available to promote the Algarve to foreign markets in 2014 – and the entity hopes the sum will be bolstered later in the year.
The announcement came from Carlos Luís, ATA’s new president who was taking office at Turismo do Algarve headquarters in Faro on Monday this week.
“Our budget this year is approximately €6 million but this may still increase,” he stated, referring to future applications for more funds.
Carlos Luís explained that the total sum is made up of €1 million invested by the private sector and €1 million put up by ATA, while the remaining €4 million comes from the national tourism board Turismo de Portugal – €2 million of which have already been transferred to the accounts of ATA.
The ATA president expressed his satisfaction with the early deposit, explaining that it was the first time that part of the funds were made available right at the start of the year. “It helps us greatly as there is much to plan,” he said.
Desidério Silva, the president of Turismo do Algarve and former president of ATA, took the opportunity to urge both the public and private sectors to invest in the Algarve, thus helping to increase promotion and therefore bringing “more partners and business” to the region.
It was also revealed that Turismo do Algarve will be receiving a sum of €5.9 million from Turismo de Portugal in order to allow the board to continue promoting the Algarve as a holiday destination in both national and foreign markets.
