Due largely to the euro’s depreciation against the pound, British tourists have contributed to excellent numbers holidaying in the Algarve this summer.
Algarve tourism has had the best August in eight years with an average occupancy rate per hotel room of 94.1%, an increase of 1.8% compared to the same period in 2014, according to the hoteliers association AHETA.
Elidérico Viegas, president of AHETA, said the increase in demand results mainly from "the devaluation of the euro against the pound and the dollar" and "instability in competing destinations" which helped to divert tourism to the Algarve.
Exchange rate changes benefited especially the British, where the stronger pound made Algarve holidays more affordable despite hotels putting their prices up to make up for years of under-performance.
Portimão/Praia da Rocha was the most sought after location in August, leading the region with an occupancy rate of 97.2%.
Alongside good occupancy figures, the Algarve has done well in the Tourism Oscars, winning 14 prizes in ten European categories at the World Travel Awards 2015 in Sardinia.
The Algarve was voted the best European beach destination and Portugal’s state-owned airline TAP won two awards.
Awards in the following categories were made:
Airline flying to Africa - TAP
Airline flying to South America - TAP
Beach destination - Algarve
Beach Resort - Hotel Quinta do Lago
Boutique Hotel - Vila Joya
Boutique Resort - Choupana Hills Resort & Spa
Hotel business - Myriad by SANA Hotels
Designer Hotel - The Vine Hotel
Eco-friendly hotel - Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
In-flight magazine - Up Magazine (TAP)
Landmark hotel - Bairro Alto Hotel
Luxury spa resort - Conrad Algarve (pictured)
Tour organiser - Turismo de Portugal
Romantic Resort - Monte Santo Resort
and in the category ‘Mediterranean’
Boutique Hotel - Quinta da Casa Branca
Hotel - Quinta do Lago
and in the ‘Portugal’ category
Boutique Hotel - The Yeatman
Business hotel - Pestana Palace
Conference hotel - Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
Designer Hotel - Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
Resort for families - Sheraton Algarve at Pine Cliffs Resort
Eco-friendly hotel - Hotel Vila Vita Parc
Hotel - Bairro Alto Hotel
Hotel residences - Troia Design Hotel
Presidential suite in hotel - Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
All Inclusive Resort - Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa
Serviced Apartments - Altis Suites
Spa resort - Choupana Hills Resort & Spa
Resort with villas - Dunas Douradas Beach Club
Portugal fielded 77 nominations and Desidério Silva, the president of the Algarve Tourism Board, said that these awards are "a source of pride for the region and for Algarvians."
"My thanks to all those who contributed to these results that once again put the Algarve on top of national and international tourism," added the tourism chief.
