Year-Round Tourism

[algarve123]

I read this article in the Resident over the weekend:

http://portugalresident.com/retailers-w ... strategies

What does everyone think of this? Is it a possibility and what would you suggest to make it work or reasons you think it may not work?

[shanagarry]

There's a very simple explanation to this - the sunshine and warmth recede in the latter parts of the year in The Algarve and intensify in Florida and points west - making it far more appealing and less expensive for those seeking year round climate excellence. Apart from golfers - who seldom use the facilities outside the golf resorts - those driving the tourism community need to rethink their business development strategies and look to what their Spanish neighbours are doing.

The deserted streets and town centres in The Algarve last November when compared to their busy counterparts in Spain suggests that something is not quite right. We found the buzz in Spain to be a godsend when compared to Cvo - so much so that we went back again in March this year. We went to the Mijas area, and apart from the town centre being pedestrianised resembling a construction site - the restaurants and bars were open and busy. We know from friends living in Cvo - that the town is now only just beginning to slowly resurface from the winter hibernation.

With considerable competition from the US and The Costa del Sol - the Algarve needs to up its game. I suspect there's a degree of apathy as the worsening global security situation lets the authorities off the hook - believing the crowds will come because alternatives are reducing in number. It's a great shame that more is not done to develop the enormous potential for winter tourism and appeal to those who will not be going to Egypt or Turkey for their winter sun

[algarve123]

Fair point shanagarry. We have been in the winter and enjoyed it very much and would be tempted to go even more often in those months if there was more open and a few more people around.

I do also on the other hand totally understand the difficulties a business may face making the decision to open in these months.

Hopefully the retail group will form some good strategies for this as mentioned in the article, good to see it is being addressed.

[joeysoap]

we went to Tenerife at Easter. Weather wasn't all the different to cvo when we were there in March to when we visited CVO in March previously, maybe a little warmer. Los Cristianos was packed to the gills,shops were busy, restaurants and bars busy. The walkway to Las Americas was packed with walkers, mobility scooters etc, a little too busy in spots and its not a narrow walkway, certainly a lot wider than the bordway. But if Portuguese tourism is serious about winter holidaymakers a few changes are inevitable. Many more hamburger joints/pizza places etc and many more pubs settling beer at €1/1.50 a pint, providing entertainment 7 days a week. Spain is full of such places and if you want winter holiday makers you have to compete. Nearly all the tourists we met were longer term than we were 5/6/7 weeks and they wanted value and entertainment. Portugal (that we all love) doesnt go near what most winter holiday makers want. You staying in CVO and strolling downtown and finding Bradys closed, Roundup closed, Jailhouse(when we were here in February) closed, Mungos closed. In short no evening entertainment worth talking about. I personally am happy with the current situation but to compete with Spain ................

[shanagarry]

I personally am happy with the current situation but to compete with Spain ................

Joey - it's a matter of balance. You are spot-on with your comment with it being the place we all like and by adding all the razz-a-ma-tazz that Spain offers would undoubtedly change things - if the need is one of glitzy resorts. It is not for us. However, it has to do something as doing nothing (as is the case now) will maintain the status quo and we'll still be writing about this in years to come.

Tenerife's winter climate is better then The Algarve meaning it has a head-start and as such will attract those looking to shed their winter coats etc. Clearly hamburger and pizza joints are not the answer either as Vilamoura and Albufeira do not fare any better given the proliferation of those facilities there.

The combination of limited numbers of flights - making those that do operate very expensive and nothing apart from Golf (where there are real bargains) is only attracting golfers. The golf deals on offer make it attractive for them to stay in their resorts and not venture into the towns. If Golf is the main attraction why don't the retail organisations combine their resources and create their own golf brand or is sitting on their hands preferable.