A panel of travel experts at Clickstay.com has voted the Algarve as the best destination for British tourists this summer. 52% of the in-house travel pros voted in favour of the Portuguese region, citing successful control of Coronavirus as one of the key factors.
“Local government has done fantastic work in limiting the spread of the virus and put in sensible measures to ensure people can enjoy their holiday safely”, said Tom Hughes, founder and MD at Clickstay.
“Their use of technology, such as the Info Praia app where tourists can real-time information about the level of occupancy of the beach, is a great example of how the government is being innovative in its approach”, he added.
Portugal recorded a considerably lower number of Covid-19 cases than the UK, so is considered low risk by the UK government. Meanwhile the Portuguese government believes the UK has got the virus ‘under control’ and is calling for a so-called ‘air bridge’ between the two countries, which would allow British tourists to go on holiday to the Algarve without having to quarantine on arrival.
Experts cited the range of activities which tourists can enjoy safely as the main reason why the Algarve stands above other destinations in Europe.
Tourists will be able to visit the vast range of beaches without worrying about overcrowding, thanks to social distancing measures and dedicated beach assistants.
“I usually go on a beach holiday during the summer but was a little anxious having seen some photos of very crowded beaches in the UK,” said one of Clickstay’s holidaymakers, “If social distancing is properly enforced on the beaches in the Algarve, I will definitely consider making the trip”.
Swimming, watersports, and surfing are also allowed, another big boost for the region’s tourism prospects. “Many of our customers love to go surfing in their summer holidays, so being able to do that in a safe environment would be a massive attraction’, said Tom Hughes.
Restaurants, hotels, museums and galleries will also be open, albeit with social distancing measures in place, allowing visitors to enjoy the cultural riches of the region as well.
The geography of the Algarve has also been a factor. There are many relatively quiet places to rent a villa compared with the busier coastlines of France and Spain, which make it a good destination for those wishing to keep their distance.
“With city breaks pretty much a no-go this summer, the Algarve’s wealth of sun and outdoor activities make it an ideal destination for a safe and enjoyable holiday”, said Hughes.
Clickstay’s website user data has reflected the panel's decision, with a 163% increase in views of Algarve properties in May compared with April, suggesting users are preparing to book.
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