‘Occupation’ described as “more than 90%” – but markedly less nationals
Wherever you go in the Algarve, businesses seem to be saying the same: “It’s not so busy this year”.
According to SIC television news, official figures/ hoteliers, occupation stands at more than 90% – but villa managers/ holiday rentals/ restaurants are less effusive, talking about “a very strange year indeed”. And beach businesses seem adamant: “We have noticed an absurd difference”, said one young man waiting for people to rent sunbeds in Quarteira. “Normally, by this time of day we would have had 50% of the sunbeds occupied; we haven’t even got 20%. We are noticing it on the beach, in the bar. Business is weak. It doesn’t feel like August”.
Says SIC, the majority of visitors (so far) are foreigners: nationals have found cheaper options elsewhere/ abroad: “Prices have been rising in the aftermath of the pandemic and it is now more expensive for a Portuguese person to travel to the beaches of the Algarve than it is to take a plane out of the country” – to a destination where prices are a great deal more competitive.
Quarteira fish market, for example, “doesn’t have queues” of people waiting to purchase fish this year – and those that are buying, are not buying shellfish (presumably due to the prices). But sellers are ‘holding out’ for a mass arrival of nationals from Monday. One told SIC they believe people will be starting their holidays from this weekend.
That said, restaurateur Lúcia Ribeiro said July was well below ‘the norm’ in terms of diners. “25% below (…) this year has been very uncertain: good one day, not so the next not so”.
There are even those who say there are less English here this year than usual.
Only time will tell. But so far, August hasn’t come in with a bang. ND
Source material: SIC
