André Gomes has defended the Algarve as a destination that is accessible to all tourist profiles
Algarve tourism chief André Gomes has challenged claims that the region has become too expensive for Portuguese travellers, who are reported to be seeking cheaper destinations abroad.
According to the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV), cited by SIC Notícias, demand for trips abroad jumped 15% in the first quarter of 2025, as more travellers seek wallet-friendlier destinations. Says ANAV, even world-famous idyllic destinations like the Caribbean are offering better prices than the Algarve in some cases.
However, Gomes has defended his stance in a six-point text that cites official data from the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics (INE), which shows that the number of Portuguese visitors and overnight stays in the Algarve has actually been increasing. This growth contradicts the idea that locals are being priced out of the region, he said.
The Algarve was also recently ranked as the world’s most competitive holiday destination in terms of value for money, according to the 2025 Holiday Money Report by the UK’s Post Office, the head of the Algarve tourism board (RTA) pointed out.
Third on Gomes’ list is the wide range of accommodation and services available across the Algarve, from budget-friendly options to luxury resorts, ensuring the region remains accessible to the average Portuguese traveller.
Additionally, for the sixth year running, the Algarve was voted by Portuguese tourists as a “Trusted Brand” (Marca de Confiança) in the tourism regions category.
Gomes also noted that official tourism statistics tend to underestimate true domestic travel numbers, as smaller local rentals (Alojamento Local, or AL) are often excluded. This means that the actual presence of Portuguese tourists is likely higher than reported, the regional tourism boss stated.
Finally, Gomes points to high satisfaction rates to back up his claims: 83.8% of Portuguese visitors plan to return to the Algarve within five years, and 95.2% would recommend it to others, he said.
