The tourism industry in the Algarve has been hit hard due to travel restrictions in place relating to Covid-19, with industry experts stating that companies are preparing for losses this year. In a bid to counter this, some agents are looking to promote long stay holidays in the region.

“Long stay holidays between November and March used to be very popular, with visitors flying out on the last flight of the season and then returning on the first flight the following year,” said a spokesman from Prado Vilamoura Villas & Apartments.

“In the past we would have 98 percent occupancy for this time of the year as many people came to enjoy the great weather in the Algarve, with a large percentage of visitors returning year after year and this is something that we can see being very popular once again as increasingly people are looking for safe places to spend their time.”

With low population density, particularly in the winter months, the Algarve is being seen as a haven for those looking to make the most of the winter, especially with potential further lockdowns looming in many countries around the world. Long stay holiday guests are also usually not as affected by quarantining rules upon returning to their home country as many are retired and will not be penalised by employers.

“We offer accommodation in a private resort of 18 villas, this makes it a quiet and safe place for people to spend their time, however for those who would like to socialise with the rest of the guests we also have a multipurpose room which is available for get-togethers as long as Covid-19 rules apply”.

After a summer of vastly reduced income, the long stay holiday model looks to be an ideal solution for companies looking to salvage the year while also offering visitors a safe and secure home for the sunny winter months in the Algarve.

The spokesman from Prado Vilamoura Villas & Apartments concluded: “The Algarve has so much to offer, not only do we have fantastic weather, we also have history and many different places to visit which are perfect for long stay visitors. We hope to see many people taking up the chance to spend a winter here in the Algarve.”