Expats In Portugal Reshaping Businesses Towards National Tourism This Summer

Portugal’s popular Algarve region is looking to rely on local tourists this summer.

For many years, Portugal’s Algarve region has welcomed international tourists as well as being a haven for British retirees seeking a new home in the sun. As with all other European tourism and expatriate destinations, the coronavirus pandemic has shattered the hospitality industry and caused economic chaos in the popular EU member state.

As regards the upcoming summer season, tourism experts are expecting just 30 per cent occupancy at best in spite of the country being one of the lowest-risk destinations as regards infections with covid-19. As well as losing the vast majority of international visitors, the region isn’t expecting any reconnaissance trips by British retirees looking to move there in the near future. Tourism professionals are describing the effect of the virus as a ‘crisis like no other’, adding it’s just not the Algarve which will suffer as the shortfall in tourism will also affect Lisbon and Porto.

As a result, tourism businesses in Portugal as a whole are now focusing on local visitors aiming at holidaying closer to home and taking advantage of Portugal’s successful attack on the virus itself. Attractive offers aimed at the home market are now being created in order to stimulate demand, with the aim of supporting hospitality businesses until international tourism hopefully restarts next year. As regards international visitors, whether for holidays or as a precursor to moving to the country, state support will be given in order to increase foreign confidence in Portugal’s safety as a destination.