Tag Archives: algarve
The Algarve needs a new strategy
AHETA – the Algarve hotels and resorts association is of the opinion that the Algarve is in need of improvements in regards to its accessibility in terms of affordable flights. They feel that the lack of overhaul in this area of the tourism policy has weakened the region’s overall competitiveness as a tourist destination.
According to AHETA, the region’s tourism potential and the air transport business should be seen as two sides of the same coin and as such they should not only be viewed together but also walk hand-in-hand. However, in recent years the two sides of the coin have been going their separate ways and this has to be brought to a point of balance as soon as possible so as to better support the Algarve economy.
Loule carnival is set to kick off
The Loule carnival – about which we talked a while back – is ready to start tomorrow on the 9th of February and fill the entire municipality with fun and entertainment.
This year’s Loule carnival will be socio-politically themed, “Troikered – The big circus” is its theme and the main Jose da Costa Mealha avenue will be the main staging ground for the floats and fun.
Algarve golf region takes UK magazine top award
Today’s Golfer – the UK golfing magazine – has yet again named the Algarve golf region as being the number one value-for-money European golfing destination and truthfully speaking now this should not come as a surprise to no one.
This is the second time running that the Algarve golf region gets the top spot, ahead of Turkey and Murcia, getting forty-three percent of the votes. On the whole the Algarve was also the one to get the most awards – six in total.
Suggested VAT rise for wine and culture may happen
We haven’t reported very much on the start-of-year financial news coming from the Algarve, but it’s about time to do so because today we’ll be talking about another potential VAT rise that will surely affect tourism to the region and that people need to be aware of.
It appears to tat the International Monetary Fund – IMF – sees some untapped financial potential for the Portuguese government to increase the VAT on goods and services like wine, processed foods and cultural events thus further widening the tax base. The current VAT for these is set at 13% and the IMF suggests that it can go up to 23%.
This assessment is part of the IMF country report which is part of the sixth evaluation of Portugal’s bailout programme.
Loule Carnival theme for 2013 announced
The Loule Carnival is by far amongst the biggest events across the Algarve, it is definitely the biggest in Loule and the oldest in the region. It usually takes place in February over the course of three days – the third day being Shrove Tuesday and it’s a wonderfully colorful and noisy affair with music, dancing and all-around revelry.
It is reminiscent to a certain extend with the much more famous Brasilian carnivals, with people from all over the region coming to Loule to watch the procession and join in with the festivities in the center streets. In fact the city centre is closed off for the duration of the festivities, entrance to the area costing a few Euros.
Half of the Algarve hotels are closed for the winter
It appears that during this cold season – the 2013 season – the number of Algarve hotels closing their doors is expected to rise according to the Portuguese Hotel Association – AHP.
We tout the idea of visiting the Algarve during the winter a lot on this website because of the reduced prices, considerably smaller crowds and milder temperatures however we’ve also talked about how the tough economic times are battering the area, and today is going to be one of the latter types of articles.
