Carvoeiro businesses need to do more

[James Faro]

Having just spent 4 days in Carvoeiro I couldt help but notice how little effort the restaurant owners put into promoting their business. We walked up restaurant hill every night and it was frightening to see the waiters sat staring out of the window just waiting for it to happen, with empty restaurants. The only promotional effort was the Indian chap handing out menus by the Sol...a little effort but at least an effort.

Search on google and its depressing to see how few have active listings on the web, how many restaurants and bars are there.. 100 or more??? There are sites like Eatalgarve and Finditalgarve who offer free listing, its beyond me why everyone isnt listed on to drive people to our town.

What is it?..is it apathy, not understanding what to do, no time ( I cant belive this is the case), too much money....

At a time when people are cutting back its imperative that these guys get their act together else we will see more close and thats not what we want to see.

Even the reviews on Tripadvisor are done by the public and are a personal opinion, limited detail and sometimes damaging.

Anyone else thought the same?

Rant over

Jamielyon4, waiters bored looking out of the restaurants is not a new phenomenon in the main town. I noticed that two years ago in the town when the credit crunch was biting into the tourist economy.

Last year I asked one of the owners of a well-known establishment how was business and he said very bad as most tourists now just buy in bulk at the supermarkets and eat at home and only have a meal out as a special treat as opposed to every night. People in the town know where the best restaurants are there to eat but are not spending.

I am afraid it has nothing to do with promotion. The money is not being spent as it used to.

The first time I went to CVO was when I was staying in Lagos five years ago.The place was bloody bursting at the seams as was CVO when I drove in. Now in the last few years the numbers of people are no longer there; it has drastically reduced.

Anyway, a few people think the main town is ghastly over-commercialized then again it is a holiday resort so that has to be expected!

[Aldo]

Its good to see that the entertainment on the square has been extended beyond the main summer holiday weeks. Now my girls are no longer of school age we visit outside the main 6 weeks on a regular basis and enjoy the entertainment when available. This also fills the bars and restaurants and gives tourist a reason to leave their villas and apartments and extends the season from 6 to 12 weeks.

[scottishstacey]

You could wear a borat style mankini lol

[jamielyon4]

If the tourist office is being run by the happy gang, as a previous poster complained about, that won't help matters. Can't they get some nice, helpful and knowledgeable young people to volunteer their time to promote the town and businesses. It will work to their benefit in the long run !

Pete, you are right not a real draw for the new person to Cvo if the tourism ambassador has a face like a slapped a**e and aint prepared to help.

I just dont understand why they dont sing from the cliff tops as Cvo has everything and such a short season to make it pay

We are sending Rich down in summer to put it right!

I'll be publishing pictures of me in a thong, standing on the beach at CVO - that'll get them rushing in

Rich for gods sake wear a hat then I can tell you apart from the mother in law!

[HampshireRich]

[Rich for gods sake wear a hat then I can tell you apart from the mother in law!

If mum-in-law has as fine a figure as me, bring her along :

speedos1.jpg (3.84 KiB) Viewed 4328 times

Notice the empty beach behind - I had to chase them all away for this photo - didn't want attractive young women in skimpy bikinis ruining a great photo

[pato]

What are you doimg in Cvo if you don't know where the restaurants are, that's all there is for god's sake, you go down the hill when you are hungry, you don't need a timeshare type pushing leaflets at you. if the foods good the people will go there, if there are less tourists there's less customers and all the expense of advertising will be a waste of money.
We've all got big problems and non more so than Portugal, for years now the black economy and saving IVA has been their lifesaver, now it could be their downfall..

Pato, News at Ten, HM Customs & Excise Headquaters, Rock Ferry.

[jamielyon4]

What are you doimg in Cvo if you don't know where the restaurants are, that's all there is for god's sake, you go down the hill when you are hungry, you don't need a timeshare type pushing leaflets at you. if the foods good the people will go there, if there are less tourists there's less customers and all the expense of advertising will be a waste of money.
We've all got big problems and non more so than Portugal, for years now the black economy and saving IVA has been their lifesaver, now it could be their downfall..

Pato, News at Ten, HM Customs & Excise Headquaters, Rock Ferry.

Hey pato you know cvo, I know Cvo, big Rich knows Cvo...but new visitors???....but unless they start to get out there and let new people know what we have in town its a downward spiral relying on the old guard, if the food is good tell everyone...dont hold it back. We have as good a selection of eateries and boozers as anywhere on the coast (except New Brighton!).. Im not a fan of handed out leaflets but the web is the place where people research holiday venues....the more profile Cvo has the more people come, the more they tell and its an upward spiral...simples!

[HampshireRich]

What are you doimg in Cvo if you don't know where the restaurants are, that's all there is for god's sake, ....

Pato, News at Ten, HM Customs & Excise Headquaters, Rock Ferry.

Yeah ... apart from the beaches, the golf, the fishing, the bars, the walks, the stunning scenery, the good company, the bright sunshine ..... nothing but damn restaurants! Perhaps a younger person's CVO these days, eh pato?

[jamielyon4]

and the david haye fight....