“Bookings are above last year [at this time], and our outlook is very positive for Easter,” the president of the Algarve Hotels and Tourist Enterprises Association (AHETA) told Lusa.

Hélder Martins indicated that, according to a survey carried out among members, the average occupancy level of tourist units in the south of the country should reach 70 or 80%.

The main clients, according to this tourist entrepreneur, are, as is traditional, the Portuguese, followed by the also usual English, Irish and Germans.

According to Hélder Martins, North Americans, who have increased their interest in Portugal in recent years, are expected to arrive later, from May onwards, also influenced by the increase in the number of flights available at that time.

The president of AHETA does not hide that the good prospects are influenced by the fact that Easter this year is celebrated later than usual, with Good Friday on April 18, with a greater probability of higher temperatures.

According to Hélder Martins, “the hotel industry increased prices by 3 to 4%”, but, as usual, businesspeople in the sector will adapt to the demand for their services.

“It’s like in aviation, if demand increases, prices will go up and if it decreases, they will go down,” said the president of AHETA, adding that, nowadays, tourists no longer book flights many months in advance, as in the past.

Hélder Martins also mentioned that there are many people who book in January, especially foreigners, when airlines and hotels run campaigns, “sometimes very aggressive”.

But, according to the person in charge, there are also those who only book at the last minute, “at the last minute”, sometimes on the same day, taking advantage of 'last minute' prices.

“Nowadays, people check the latest opportunities on their computers and consult several websites before making a reservation,” said Hélder Martins.

On the other hand, the businessman is convinced that the current political crisis, with legislative elections scheduled for 18 May, will not have an impact on tourists' decision to travel to the Algarve.

“The elections, in my opinion, just like last time, will be contested a lot on television, with the leaders travelling to the Algarve for a day to campaign, but that will not have an impact on people coming,” he said.

Hélder Martins goes further and even foresees a good summer for this year.

“Compared to last year’s booking level, we are above in all indicators, including bookings for the summer”, he concluded.