Portugal is now a worldwide ‘must do’ destination for backpackers with the Algarve’s top destination of Lagos entering the Top 100 cities visited.
Lisbon registered a growth of 6% in hostel demand and maintained its 12th position of the backpackers’ list of most visited cities in the world.
Oporto is in 35th overall position but the Algarve is led by Lagos which entered the ‘most visited’ list at number 92.
According to Hostelworld, Lagos is now ahead of mature destinations such as Glasgow, Toronto, Montreal, Mexico City and Bruges, among many others.
Germans, Americans, Australians, Canadians and French booked the most hostel beds last year.
As for outward bound Portuguese backpackers, they prefer London, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Oporto, in that order.
The growth in hostel accommodation in the Algarve is noticeable with Olhão, Faro and other cities adding hostel accommodation units over the past year to cater for this vibrant youth market.
While saving money on accommodation, backpackers still need to eat and, being young, tend to develop terrific thirsts to keep the region’s bars and cafe’s gainfully occupied.
Comments
They spend in the cheaper restaurants, pay for surfing tuition etc and are no trouble. We don't want the town to be completely full of oldies and, of course, one day they will be affluent family men/women who will return.
Backpackers contribute far more than the motor caravanners who refuse to use campsites.
The news is that Lagos is now in the Top 100 worldwide destinations.
Ed
Lagos has been Backpacker Party Central for at least 20 years since the web got going! I know I live & work here!