Overnight stays have grown every year since 2009, the RTA said, making this the longest sequence of continuous growth in the region’s history.
By comparison, in 2013, there were 14.7 million and in 2009, 12.9 million.
Speaking at a news conference to unveil the results, RTA President Desidério Silva said that growth is expected to continue this year, but that national officials should not rest on their laurels or the Algarve could lose competitiveness in relation to other regions in Portugal and abroad.
“It has been an effort by many people, but it must continue to be done,” he said, acknowledging that it is more difficult for grow from this high base, but expressing confidence that demand this year will be in line with that seen last year. That, he added, means “more responsibility”.
The RTA, which was created 45 years ago this year, is bidding for national and European Union funds to bolster the visibility of the region’s brand.
By far the largest single group of foreign visitors to the Algarve last year were the British (5.1 million overnight stays) followed by Germans (1.5 million) and the Dutch (1.3 million).
In related news, tourist occupation rates in the Algarve grew by three percent last year in comparison to the year before and expectations are that that growth will continue throughout this year.
According to the region’s largest hotel association AHETA, last year the region registered an average occupation rate of 57.2 percent over 12 months.
The association said the result is “rather positive” – especially if taking into account that 2013 had already registered a growth of 4.7 percent on 2012. Business and revenue also grew last year by 5.1 and 5.3 percent respectively.