The average occupancy rate per room in the Algarve was 43.9% in March this year, down 1.7% with income dropping by 4.2%, compared to March last year.
According to information disclosed by the region's hoteliers' association, AHETA, the markets that contributed to the fall in hotel occupation were Portuguese from within the country (-2.0%), Germans (-1.3%) and the Spanish (-0.8). UK tourists were up +0.6% and the Dutch, up +0.4%.
The main declines were recorded in Tavira (-7.6%) and Monte Gordo/VRSA (-7.2%). The increases were at Carvoeiro/Armaçao de Pêra up 5%, and Faro/Olhão, up +2.5%.
The highest average occupancy rate was still in Monte Gordo/VRSA; and the lowest in Tavira at 34.2%.
Five star hotels and apartment occupancy was up 0.8% with the major decline in four and five star tourist villages and tourist apartments, down 4.8%, and three stars down 2.5%.
The lowest occupancy rate was in the region’s five star hotels and apartments at only 40.5%.
The hoteliers’ association noted that Easter last year was in March which has made these comparison figures look poor year on year.
The April figures this year should show a large increase over last and the overall tourism growth is set to increase over last year with the Algarve’s surviving tourism businesses looking forward to a good season. Easter bookings are well up on last year across the sector.
