Following the UK government’s decision to move Portugal to the ‘amber’ travel list, it undoubtedly dealt a shock to many people. Not only to businesses who put great care into getting ready to welcome tourists back, but also to people in need of a post-lockdown holiday.
At SandyBlue, we have always believed that positivity leads the way. Having this positive mindset will allow us all to empower the Algarve tourism industry and show people it remains a safe place to be. Already, we are seeing that hope is still strong among guests who have their Algarve holiday plans in place for the coming month. With this in mind, it’s important for the Algarve to remain hopeful and keep the summer alive.
Holidays are going ahead for many tourists
We’ve come to a point in the pandemic where people simply want freedom and escape. While there are some tourists who are deflated by the news, we’ve had a welcome surprise from many guests who are choosing to commit to their holiday plans.
As a region, it’s important to not let the recent change to travel affect us. With so many tourists choosing to travel, we need to keep a positive momentum going to accommodate these guests in the Algarve.
Efficient testing for travel
It’s important to stress that the testing required for travel is not as difficult a process as people might think. With most testing kits allowing people to test from the comfort of their homes, it really is effective in helping people travel safely.
Here in the Algarve, we have been sending the pre-departure testing kits for guests directly to the villas. All feedback highlights that it is an easy, comfortable and efficient way to take the necessary tests. Furthermore, with so many in-villa experiences on offer to guests, it’s easy to see why more people are becoming completely comfortable to travel here.
Enquiries for longer staysare on the rise
The recent travel developments have only made people more inclined to really make the most of their holidays. Remote working remains a prominent fixture in many industries, so this is allowing more people the freedom to work where they choose.
Having introduced our ‘Longer Stays’ offering in 2020, it is flourishing. Not only have new enquiries for longer stays grown, we’ve had many families extend existing bookings or make new month plus bookings.
Looking forward to summer
Enquiries from Lisbon and Porto also continue to rise, so there really are so many things to remain positive about. A wide range of businesses here are keen to point out that the Algarve remains a safe place to be and a perfect place for a holiday this year. This is a message we will continue to push!
By Joe Mountain
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Joe Mountain is founder of Algarve villa rental specialists SandyBlue.
289 392 236 | www.sandyblue.com
