Portugal is on track to have its third best year ever for tourism, according to statements from a government minister. While the worldwide economic crisis had been predicted to wreak havoc on many nation’s economies and tourism sectors, the sector has been strong so far and is predicted to finish the year in good shape. In a surprising announcement, State Secretary for Tourism Bernardo Trindade revealed Portugal is having a better than expected year for tourism.
“What 2009 is proving, is that despite the crisis, this is in fact the third best year,” said the state secretary.
“Information we have for August 2009 points to occupancy rates of well above 90 percent in the Algarve, with strong domestic support boosting figures, while the Douro region had occupancy rates of 75 percent and 80 percent in the rural tourism sector,” hec continued.
The secretary predicted that the drop in tourism for the year will be nowhere near the 30 percent fall projected at the beginning of the year, and instead offered up a prediction of a single digit fall. He noted that the tourist industry has worked hard to forge partnerships with airlines and tourist operators, which has allowed the sector to escape largely unscathed compared to other destinations.
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