- Newark–Faro route marks new chapter for Algarve tourism and US travel links
This Saturday, May 17, marks a historic moment for Portugal’s southernmost region as the first-ever direct flight from the United States of America to the Algarve touches down at Faro’s International Gago Coutinho Airport.
Operated by United Airlines, the new transatlantic route from Newark/New York to Faro is expected to open the door to a new wave of American tourists.
Despite the previous absence of direct flights, American interest in the Algarve has soared. In 2024 alone, US tourists booked over 500,000 overnight stays, a 13% increase from the year before. The number of visitors also jumped, nearing 200,000 – up 10.5% from 2023.
To mark the inaugural flight, a US digital influencer will be among the first passengers and will explore the Algarve for one week, visiting “some of the most iconic locations in the region” and producing “exclusive content for her followers”. The move is seen as a way of “increasing the Algarve’s notoriety among Americans,” the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) says in a statement.
This new route follows months of behind-the-scenes efforts by tourism authorities in the Algarve and institutional partners, aiming to connect the region with the North American market and place the Algarve firmly on the map as a premium European destination for American travellers.
So far this year, Algarve tourism officials have stepped up promotion in the US. and Canada, organising roadshows in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boston, which brought together over 300 travel professionals.
The strategy won’t stop there. The Algarve will participate in high-profile travel events through the end of 2025, including L.E./Miami; Incentive Live B2B; North America Golf Tourism Convention; IMEX America; ILTM North America; and USTOA Annual Conference.
These events are part of a year-long strategy to not only increase awareness of the Algarve’s tourism offer, but also to secure sustainable growth in air travel routes and demand from the US.
“We want to position the Algarve as a go-to destination in the minds of travellers looking for a European destination with its own identity, authenticity and qualified offer,” says Algarve tourism boss, André Gomes, describing the new air link as a “new chapter of opportunities for the region”.
