The Algarve reaches 16 million overnight stays until September

Overnight stays in the Portuguese region of the Algarve, in the south of the country, reached the figure of 16 million visitors between January and September, which represents an income of 898 million of euros in that period.

Lisbon, Nov 17 (EFE) .- Overnight stays in the Portuguese region of the Algarve, in the south of the country, reached the figure of 16 million visitors between January and September, which means revenues of 898 million euros in that period.

This is reflected in a statement sent today by the Tourism Region of the Algarve, with data from the National Institute of Statistics Luso, which points out that the Algarve accumulates 36.5% of tourists from all over Portugal, making it one of the most outstanding areas in this sector throughout the country.

In September, the overnight stays increased 2.2% with respect to the previous year and reached 2.3 million visitors, with revenues of 137.8 million, 10.2% more than in 2016.

Visitors Foreigners remain the largest source of income, since they contracted 1.8 million nights (+2.5% compared to 2016), although Portuguese overnight stays also increased by 1.2% 484,000 nights.

The Spanish market in the Algarve rose by 4.7% in the first nine months and reached 763,400 contracted nights for a total of 248,500 guests.

President of the Algarve Tourism Region, Desidério Silva, remarked that tourism in the area is still very important "in the Portuguese national scene" and raised "growth" sustainable "and the" progressive overflow of seasonality "of the destination.

Tourism contributes to Portugal around 10% of GDP, according to the data of the Agency for the Investment and Foreign Trade lusa (Aicep), a percentage that has increased in recent years.