8 Week Tourist Season per year

[jkspoff]

Having owned a property in Carvoeiro centre and visited Carvoeiro for over 20 years, its a shame to see that the tourist season now only really covers a total of 8 weeks in the year, businesses I know of have had a huge slump in profits for the past 3 years in a row, is it just the fact that fewer people are travelling abroad due to the 'so called' recession or is it just that Carvoeiro doesn't offer the 'all inclusive' type holidays people have come to buy more and more of these days ? Additional to the 'all inclusive' hotel deals, its severely effected a friends restaurant and cafe in the town centre to a point where closure is likely, due to people eating and drinking 'free' all inclusive food and drink at some of the larger hotels in the area and beyond.
Its a decline thats sad to see, mainly caused by British travel agents and the like.
Fingers crossed it improves for the 8 week window this year, 2013, or perhaps people would like it to return to the quiet fishing town haven of the past

[Bruce Wallis]

I actually disagree with your basic 8 week premise.

Every European coastal holiday area has it's "peak" holiday period in the 8 weeks of July and August. It's the school holidays, so that doesnt take TOO much working out.

Whilst that 8 weeks may be to peak season plateau, our season here, starts around Easter. Ramps up towards May and June, and June and September are usually pretty good, and sought out by those not tied to the school holidays.

Yes, the effects of the general downturn are being felt here, as everywhere else. Especially on our winter market. We have spoken in another thread of bars and restaurants closing down earlier, and longer for the winter, in the last couple of years. Likewise normally popular winter restaurants like Happys and AGale are showing significant downturns.

I dont believe that travel agents have much of an effect. We arent that sort of a resort area......well not at the mass market end , anyway.
In fact that I would venture that where we sit in the market place, positions us better than some more populist resorts.

I have faith that once things improve on the general, Europe wide market, the businesses that survive in Carvoeiro, will once again flourish with increase of visitor numbers and spending power.

[EMM]

There are NO all inclusives in the area and it is as yet still a relatively small part of the holiday market in the Algarve.
We were out for dinner on friday night and the usual places were busy, some very busy.
Visitors are obviously looking for value and this combined with the recent uncertain weather is reslting in them staying in at night having lunched at one of the value restaurants such as Vimar or escondinho.

[Jaylay]

Just to say yes there is about 8 weeks when all the schools in Europe take their summer holidays but tourism is not dependent on children.

Many of my friends have at least 14 weeks of bookings and the properties they own vary from apartments to cliff top villas, so saying only 8 weeks that tourists are in Carvoeiro is stupid.

What about the Canadians who are here for 8 weeks in winter, during the period January to Easter, they must be invisible. Ok they may not spend every night out on the town but they do contribute to the economy of Carvoeiro, just by being here.

[shanagarry]

the 'so called' recession

Have you just arrived from another planet - where economic melt-down is defined differently?

[Michael Crane]

There are a lot of us that do not go away for the hotter months of the year and much prefer a cooler, less busy time. You can rely on us to keep you going before and after those 8 peak weeks.

[Michael Crane]

the 'so called' recession

Have you just arrived from another planet - where economic melt-down is defined differently?

It doesn't affect the rich.

[widge]

It doesn't affect the rich.

How do you know ?

[Michael Crane]

It doesn't affect the rich.

How do you know ?

Because it is affecting me badly.

[smudger]

Just home after a 'last minute' decision to grab a week in the area. Most of time spent in CVO or Ferragudo. Yes many restaurants had restricted opening hours but those that opened seemed to be visited by diners, drinkers or both! Others had notices staying closed for holidays and opening end of March. Rosa's Bar at Sesmarias finally opened doors on Monday 11 March!! Had a chat with a local who runs a cafe in Ferragudo, his take on 'the tourist season'? If it's cloudy we open, if it's raining or likely to rain for many hours, we stay closed cos nobody walks about in the rain.
Will be interested to see what businesses are open on next visit, just before Easter.

[LICY]

I agree the UK school holidays are over a 6-8 week session, but other countries have holidays at different times, which could extend that period as it's not just Brits that holiday in CVO. We have bookings way over 8 weeks, even excluding family and friends. However maybe some people decide to do a bit more cooking for themselves and not go to a restaurant every day. We don't go to restaurants often, but we do keep Intermadche going. Maybe eating out is where people are saving a little so they can still afford to go to that special villa, rather than a hotel. I may be wrong but i would think most people holidaying in CVO will have self catering accommodation as I see our village as very much an affluent residential area, maybe not quite as Quinta, Vilamoura and the like but definately something very special.