Dutch and British holidaymakers were in the Algarve in higher numbers last month, according to the latest data by the Algarve Hotels and Resorts Association (AHETA).
In September, visitors from Holland were up 12.5% while the number of British tourists increased by 3.2%, when compared to the same month last year. Spanish visitors, again, recorded a significant decrease, -21.1%, a trend that has been noted since tolls were introduced on the A22 in December last year.
According to data collected by the Associação de Hotéis e Empreendimentos Turísticos do Algarve, the global average occupancy rate in hotels and similar establishments in September was 76%, 3% up on the same month in 2011.
Geographically speaking, hotel occupancy was highest in Albufeira (82.3%), while Faro/Olhão registered the lowest rate at 43%.
The most significant occupancy increases were recorded in the areas of Lagos/Sagres (+7.6%), Albufeira (+4.6%) and Vilamoura/Quarteira/Quinta do Lago (+5.1%). The Monte Gordo/VRSA area registered the highest reduction in occupancy with levels down by 2.4%.
Five star hotels and aparthotels recorded the lowest occupancy rate at 69% while four star hotels and aparthotels had the highest level of occupancy at 83%.
According to type of accommodation, three and five star hotels and aparthotels had the highest decrease in occupancy rates (-2.8%) while four and five star tourist complexes and apartments recorded the highest rise in occupancy at 7.1%, when compared to the same period last year.
