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The Algarve: More than just Sun, Sea and Sand Bunkers!

There is much more to the beautiful Algarve than meets the eye.

Residing in the southernmost part of Portugal, the Algarve is blessed with steady sunshine, luscious landscapes, beautiful beaches and first-class golfing facilities.

For decades the Algarve has been a mighty magnet to many an eagle-eyed golfer. The whole region became increasingly appealing to visitors from around Europe who came in search of sun, sand and a leisurely stroll around a golf green.

But there is so much more to the Algarve than just golf courses and beautiful beaches. The region has plenty of other attractions such as:

- The Marine Zoo
- Big Game Fishing
- Tivoli Almansor Diving Centre
- Quad biking
- A petting farm
- Pony rides
- A crocodile park
- Coveoerio Tennis Club
- Cliff Richards Winery.

The food in the Algarve is good as well and the Portuguese have a culture of dining out into the early hours. The region offers a substantial choice of restaurants, serving a wonderful selection of fresh seafood, fish and meat dishes, all washed down with a wide selection of local wines. 

The Algarve has the best climate in Portugal, with temperatures fluctuating between 15 and 31 °C, during the summer months of June, July, August and September.

Winter starts on the 21st of December and ends on the 19th of March, and whilst there is snow and minus temperatures in the northern areas of Portugal, the level in the Algarve never falls below zero during the winter.

Low cost travel

Travelling to the Algarve is affordable and effortless. Flying is certainly the most convenient way to get to the sun- kissed region.

There are many low-cost airlines that fly to the airport in Faro, which is only three hours from most European destinations and has a network of motorways leading to the regions towns and cities.

Train travel is also an option, since Portugal is part of the European rail network and can easily be reached from most of the European capital cities.

Strategic plan

Although the Algarve suffers from seasonality - where the area is engulfed by tourists during the summer months but is quiet in the winter - the Portuguese government has put in place a strategic plan to encourage tourists to visit the region out-of-season.

Part of their plan is to promote the Algarve as an area that excels in sandy beaches and great golf courses, but also has other diverse activities and facilities to offer.

The government intends to get the region performing closer to the levels of its Spanish (Valencia, Andalucia and Murcia) counterparts that have similar characteristics - mature destinations in the south of Europe where the main product is sun and beach.

 Andalucia has enjoyed an annual growth of 3% and Valencia 2%. By 2015 the Algarve aims to attain between 13.7 million and 13.9 million tourists that stay overnight, which corresponds to an average growth of 2.7% per year.

Improving coastal areas

Dan Johnson, director of E-Quity.com, said this of the plans for the region: "Occupancy rates in the Algarve have declined in recent years, a trend that the government hopes to reverse and the strategic plan cites 4 key areas of focus for the region.

"Firstly come the two sectors in which the Algarve already competes well, beach and golf. The government wants to protect and improve the coastal areas, while adding more integrated golf resorts of the standard that will attract more international tournaments to the region.

"Further to that, comes a policy of diversification to reduce the reliance on these two traditional activities. There is little or no infrastructure for conferences in the region and the government hopes to be able to develop a congress centre in the Faro-Albufeira area.

A bright future

The planning department will also look more favourably on integrated resorts and hotels containing spa facilities, while a new marina is guaranteed for the Eastern Algarve, with additional moorings along the coast. Diversification and enhancements are the watchwords."

With the natural resources already available and the wheels of a carefully thought-out improvement plan already turning, the Algarve looks set for a bright and busy future... on and off the golf course.

To receive more information please call E-Quity on 0207 952 7654.