THE AVERAGE room occupation rate at the region’s hotels and resorts reached 30.7 per cent last month, an increase of 9.8 per cent in relation to figures recorded in January 2004.
The good news announced by AHETA, the Algarve association for hotels and resorts, specifically points to the success of the Faro, Tavira and Monte Gordo areas. The overall sales revenue for the region’s tourist accommodation also rose 11.5 per cent in January.
By nationality, Britons represented 44.1 per cent of guests, followed by the Dutch (16.6 per cent) and the Portuguese (15.4 per cent). In geographical terms, the greatest increases were recorded in Faro, Tavira and Monte Gordo (+36.4 per cent) and in the Portimão/Praia da Rocha areas. The highest falls in numbers were registered in the areas of Vilamoura, Quarteira and Quinta do Lago (-3.3 per cent). The areas of Faro, Tavira and Monte Gordo registered the highest occupation rates with 53.7 per cent and the lowest were in the Lagos and Sagres areas (only 17.2 per cent).
Three and four-star establishments performed best
It was the Algarve’s three and four-star hotels and apart-hotels that enjoyed the greatest success last month, recording a 16.1 per cent growth. Three-star hotels and apartments were recorded as being 41.2 per cent full, while tourist villages and apartments with two and three-star ratings were only registered as being 29.1 per cent full.
By category, the least successful results were recorded by the four and five-star villa and apartment complexes. Five-star hotels in the region also performed less well, suffering a 10 per cent drop in occupation levels.
