2005 LOOKS likely to be a better year for tourism in the Algarve, predicts the Região de Turismo do Algarve (RTA), the Algarve tourism board, which is expecting to see “a significant increase in tourists coming from England, Ireland and Germany”. The reason for this increase, it believes, is the improved economic situation in these countries.
According to the RTA, there appears to be a five per cent increase in English tourists (the main market for Algarve tourism), according to the numbers registered arriving at Faro Airport so far this year.
In addition, the main Irish tour operator, Falcon, indicates that there has been a 10 per cent increase in sales, a development the RTA believes will mean a higher number of Irish visitors to the Algarve this summer. There is a similar situation occurring with the German market whose principal operators, like Tui, Olimar and Thomas Cook/Neckermann, have also enjoyed an increase in sales.
Major events in the Algarve, such as the Algarve Ladies Open de Portugal, Algarve Seniors Tour Championship and the Algarve World Cup in Portugal, are helping to promote the region and encouraging tourists to visit the Algarve.
