The results of AHP's "Summer Balance 2024" survey (relating to the period between June and September) contradict, according to the association's president, the idea that high prices have led to the Portuguese people moving away from the Algarve.

“The Portuguese contributed to the numbers in the Algarve, as did the English, the Germans and, now, the Americans”, said Bernardo Trindade.

In this regard, the association leader highlighted the importance of growth in the south of the American market, given its great “purchasing power” and the fact that, historically, it has a direct relationship with hotel chains, removing intermediaries and allowing greater profits for establishments.

“There is a combination of factors that force us to look at these numbers with satisfaction. The Algarve had a good summer, which was felt throughout the country, and this, obviously, makes us satisfied”, summarised Bernardo Trindade.

According to AHP data, between June and September, the national hotel occupancy rate was 81%, with the Azores and Madeira regions standing out, with an occupancy of 91%.

The Algarve followed, with 85%, and Greater Lisbon and the Setúbal Peninsula, with 84%, while the North region recorded an occupancy rate of 76% and Alentejo closed the summer with 72%.

Regarding the Average Price per Room, it was set at 172 euros nationally, with the Algarve appearing in the lead, with 227 euros, followed by Alentejo and Greater Lisbon, with 195 euros and 193 euros, respectively.

In relation to the average stay of tourists, it was 3.1 nights nationally, with the regions of Madeira and Algarve leading by recording 5.4 nights and 4.8 nights, respectively.

The Azores, with 3.4 nights, were also above average, while in other regions, such as Greater Lisbon and Centro, the average stay was 2.7 nights, and in Alentejo and Península de Setúbal it was 2.6 and 2.5 nights respectively.

Revenues

Asked about total revenues in the summer period, 75% of those interviewed by AHP reported better or much better results than last year, while 17% reported worse or much worse results.

Specifically in the month of September, AHP highlighted the performance recorded by the hotel industry in the second fortnight, driven by the holding of “major international events that helped boost occupancy and price results”.

As for issuing markets, the association notes that the domestic market was ranked as one of the top three by 73% of those interviewed, with the United Kingdom (53%) and the United States (51%) occupying the second and third places, “consolidating the American market as one of the most relevant for the national hotel sector”.

The Spanish market was cited by 44% of respondents, followed by Germany, cited by 25%, and the French market lost strength, being included in the 'top 3' by only 19% of respondents.

With regard to booking channels, the association highlighted the “dominance of online platforms”, with Booking being cited by 96% of respondents, followed by its own websites (78%) and travel agencies (43%).

With a 95% confidence interval and a margin of error of 4.89%, the AHP survey was carried out between October 1st and 14th with 343 associated tourist enterprises, located in the North (11%), Center (7%), West and Tagus Valley (8%), Greater Lisbon (38%), Setúbal Peninsula (3%), Alentejo (7%), Algarve (11%), Azores (7%) and Madeira (8%).