Portugal’s Alentejo region has experienced an increase in tourists this summer compared to 2008. The Tourist Development Unit recently told the Lusa news agency that the number of tourists to the region has risen two to three percent for the summer, which is in contrast to the neighboring Algarve and other popular tourist spots in Europe.
“Regarding tourist numbers, contrary to what has happened in other regions, both inland Alentejo and along the coast, no drops in tourism have been noted”, said Carlos Silva, vice-president of the Coastal Alentejo Tourist Board. “There are even indications, but not very precise, that there is a certain shift in tourist patterns towards the Alentejo coast, which would account for the region not having felt the drop in numbers experienced by other destinations, particularly the Algarve, which acts as a reference.”
Mr. Silva believes that the growth is related to more diversity for tourists and visitors, and that Spaniards are one of the growing groups of visitors. Hotel units expect to see a similar August as that of previous years.
The Alentejo is the region immediately north of the Algarve. It has a stretch of coastline with beautiful beaches, but much of the region lies inland, reaching over to the Spanish border.
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