Tourism officials say the prospects for tourist occupancy for Easter in the Algarve are “very good”, with a higher rate of bookings than at the same time last year.
“According to feedback from professionals in the sector, we have a very good rate of bookings, higher than that seen at the same time last year”, the president of the Algarve Tourism Region told the Lusa news agency.
André Gomes insisted that there are “very positive prospects” for both national and foreign tourists visiting the Algarve this Easter.
An identical analysis was carried out by the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve ( AHETA ), who stated that the majority of its members have reservations “equal or higher” than this period last year.
“The prospects are very good, there is still availability, but we are, as a general rule, above last year”, said Hélder Martins.
The tourist profile at this time of year is, as usual, mainly made up of families. However, the fact that Easter is earlier than usual – Easter Sunday is March 31st – means that there is a more pronounced overlap with the travel of groups of foreigners who come to play golf, said Snr Martins.
The Portuguese will more than likely top the list of nationalities that visit the Algarve the most, followed by the British, French, Irish and Spanish, to name just the top few. The president of Algarve Tourism highlighted that the number of tourists from the United States of America continues to be “fast growing” too.
Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
The GNR arrested two women aged 23 and 31 for robbery in the town of Luz de Tavira on Wednesday, and other crimes that occurred in the north of the country late last year.
The municipal swimming pools in Olhão, closed since last November due to signs of 'legionella' being detected in the changing rooms, finally reopen today,March 1st.
The GNR arrested two people suspected of drug trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon yesterday, following a road inspection carried out in the town of Hortas, Vila Real de Santo António.
Alfredo Graça, specialist at Meteored Portugal says February will end with cold weather and some precipitation in the form of rain, perhaps snow in some areas of Portugal. 
Two weeks of campaigning are well underway among the parties contesting Portugal’s early national election on March 10th. The centre-right Democratic Party (PSD) is predicted to replace the centre-left Socialist Party (PS), both having fought for dominance for decades.
With recognition at a global level in terms of good environmental sustainability practices, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will continue to strive and promote a higher level of sustainability during the upcoming MotoGP world race to be held between the 22nd and March 24th. 
The “Stories The River Brings Us” Exhibition, showcasing ancient remains linked to the Arade river, is now open at Portimão Museum, until November 3rd.
