Tourism officials from the Algarve are heading to the United Kingdom this week to showcase the region’s growing nautical tourism offer at the 56th edition of the Southampton International Boat Show, one of Europe’s biggest events of its kind.
Running from September 19 to 28, the show attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year, offering the Algarve a prime opportunity to reach operators, media, and high-spending British consumers.
The Algarve’s participation in the event is part of the “Internacionalizar + Algarve 3.0” project, developed with Algarve business association NERA and the region’s certified nautical stations in a bid to position the Algarve as a leading destination for nautical tourism.
“The Algarve today has a diverse and sophisticated nautical offer that goes far beyond sun and sea. This presence in Southampton is an important step to consolidate recognition of the region as a leading destination, to attract new markets, and to show that we have the capacity to welcome tourists all year long,” says André Gomes, president of Turismo do Algarve, in a statement to the press.
“With around 4,000 mooring spots, internationally recognised marinas, and a wide network of certified nautical stations, the Algarve boasts a mix of experiences for every traveller: from adrenaline sports like surfing, kitesurfing, and powerboating to calmer activities such as sailing trips, cave tours, diving, sport fishing, or marine wildlife watching,” the tourism board adds.
Turismo do Algarve also highlights the region has become a hub for top international sporting events and a training base for professional teams from around the world, adding that combined with favourable weather and direct flight connections, these strengths make nautical tourism a strategic part of the region’s strategy to reduce seasonality and boost the coastal economy in a sustainable way.
