Final tourism figures for 2019 have now been confirmed, and the news is hugely positive for the Algarve.
According to regional tourism authorities, referring to latest data from the national statistics institute (INE), hotels and other accommodation establishments recorded significant increases compared with 2018: number of guests up 7.2 per cent, revenue increasing by 7.2 per cent, and overnight stays rising by 2.5 per cent.
In total, 5.06 million guests visited the Algarve in 2019, enjoying just under 21 million overnight stays, and generating 1.2 billion in tourism revenue for the region.
Growth was experienced throughout the year on a monthly basis, except for October, when the number of guests fell marginally.
By nationalities, Portuguese holidaymakers led the way with 1.47 million (up by 8.5 per cent), followed by British tourists, 1.9 million, which represented a 7.1 per cent increase in spite of concerns about the potential effect of Brexit.
The total number of foreign visitors was 3.59 million, a 6.7 per cent rise. Other international markets experienced even more notable growth: there were 87,700 Italian visitors (up 26.8 per cent), 82,000 Brazilians (26.5 per cent) and 106,000 Americans (19.8 per cent).
These positive figures were also reflected in record passenger numbers at Faro Airport in 2019.
More Golf Tourism Recognition for the Algarve
Golf is one of the key tourism sectors that contributes to the Algarve’s status as a popular global holiday destinations, and this is reflected in the region’s consistent awards-winning success.
Last October the Algarve was named “Golf Destination of the Year” during the International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ annual golf tourism awards gala evening.
Now, the region has added another Today’s Golfer “Best Golf Destination in Continental Europe” award to its burgeoning trophy cabinet. This was the fourth year running the Algarve – home to 43 courses – had won this award, decided by a readers’ vote.
Today’s Golfer courses and travel editor Kevin Brown congratulated the region for “another richly-deserved victory… The Algarve has so much to offer both on and off the course. It’s such a magical all-round package and no wonder golfers revisit time and time again.”
Algarve tourism golf product manager Maria Manuel Delgado e Silva said, “It is a source of huge pride to everyone in the industry to receive this recognition once again from our UK guests and our thanks go to those who took the time to vote for us.
“It is always an enormous team effort and we would like to show our gratitude to everyone who played their part in achieving this award. There are so many unsung heroes working in our industry in the Algarve and everyone plays their part in delivering the highest standards possible.”