Vitor Vieira had only one word to encourage people who have never experienced a holiday in Albufeira: “Go”.
The popular destination near Faro Airport has a favourable climate, unspoiled beaches, great wines and wonderful cuisine, including an abundance of sea fish.
It also has luxury hotels and renowned golf courses, including Penina, the original home of the sport in the Algarve, designed by Englishman, Sir Henry Cotton, a three-time Open champion, and host to the Portuguese Open on ten occasions.
Vieira, one of the leading players in tourism in the area, was in Edinburgh to promote the area and the party from Albufeira Tourism Board included car hire, hotel groups and activity providers.
Direct flights from the Capital’s airport by Jet2 and Ryanair make the Algarve easily accessible and he said there are several big deals for the Algarve and Albufeira, the first is the climate, it is one of the best climates in Europe.
He added: “Then we have quality food and wine and the sport. Scottish people play a lot of golf and we have around 30 courses. We also host corporate events, but I think it is the people.
“We receive people well and it is a very good destination for Scottish people and there are a lot of flights. It is easy to get to.”
Almost everybody in the area speaks English, another massive bonus for holidaymakers, and that is because so many work a in tourism.
January and February are traditionally poor weather wise in Scotland and Vieira said: “You can expect a very calm and quiet place, but there are still people from England and Scotland, from Holland, and other places in Europa.
“Most of the restaurants are open, and the temperature is 14c, 15c, and even 20c, comfortable. Portuguese people would not go to the beach, but for a Scottish person it is different. That is not a problem.”
If you don’t play golf you can walk, cycle, indulge in a lot of other sports, including sea fishing, with charters available at a number of main centres, and people can travel around to a variety of picturesque towns and villages and visit markets.
There is also a pre-historic site, accepted by UNESCO, which has a fossilized dinosaur footprint, and that is proving extremely popular.
The roads are not difficult to negotiate and tolls have been removed. Asked why the Algarve is so special, he said: “Because, we are at corner of Europe and we like to receive people, and most of the resorts are not far away from Faro airport.”
The furthest resort from Faro airport is the headland of Cabo de San Vicente, the southwestern most point of Portugal and of mainland Europe, and that is accessible by the highway easily in 40 minutes. The highways in Algarve are free, no tolls.
He added: “We have all the year around tourism, and, if you haven’t been to Portugal yet, go.”
PICTURE: The pool at the Dona Filipa
SALES PITCH: Vitor Vieira and an associate in Edinburgh for the media launch at the Radisson Blu
