Tourism animated with the arrival of carnival

Without great fears of the rain, everything is prepared to receive the thousands of revelers in the various carnivals that Portugal has to offer. And the expectations of tourism are the best, or were not the Portuguese a people who like party.

Loures, Ovar, Estarreja, Lazarim, Loulé, Podence or Carregal do Sal receive some of the largest parties in the country. But there are others.

The weekend is prolonged, the government has given a point tolerance to the civil service and, therefore, all the paths are open for the Portuguese – and not only to move around the country and enjoy days or rest or revelry. It's as you prefer.

Very excited center

In the center of the country expectations are high. Also because this is a zone of Portugal rich in carnival celebrations. « Obviously, this is a very important time for tourism in the region, given the effort of most of the region's municipalities, which bet on streamlining carnivals, many of them national reference. »refers to the tourism of the center to Sunrise. «Some more traditional, such as Torres Vedras, the Run of the Schist Villages, or the Carders of Ilhavo; To the most excited such as Estarreja, Ovar, Mealhada, Figueira da Foz… They all attract, annually, thousands of visitors to the territory, for several days, who help the notoriety of the region, as well as bring a major economic return to the region (hotel, restoration, etc.) ».

Algarve: more positive than last year

In the Algarve, one of the best known carnivals – and the oldest in the country – is that of Loulé, which celebrates this year 110 years. Still, it is not the only one and the region has good prospects for this date.

« Predictions point to an increase in hotel occupation in the region, driven by the extended weekend and the animation provided by the various Carnival events»tells the Sunrise André Gomes, President of Algarve Tourism. The main regional hotel association «Estimates a growth between 10% and 15% in the occupancy rate in municipalities that promote carnival activities» And in some accommodation units, « The occupancy rate can reach 90% during this period ».

Asked if this year will be better or worse than previous years, André Gomes has no doubt: «Expectations for this year are more positive than last year»remembering that, « Annually, the carnival Corses in the region attract between 100 and 150 thousand visitors, and this year the Carnival of Loulé hopes to receive about 80 thousand revelers over the three days». In addition, he adds, «The local accommodation sector shows signs of recovery and sees at Carnival a first positive momentum for the tourist season».

Is that, « undoubtedly »this is a very important time for Algarve tourism. «Carnival represents an important moment for tourism in the Algarve, especially in the transition phase to the high season»comments André Gomes. « Being a destination traditionally associated with summer, events such as carnival help to streamline the regional economy and mitigate seasonality, attracting visitors at a time of year when tourist demand is generally reduced. ». And it's not just. André Gomes recalls that the coincidence with the high time of golf «Reinforces the interest of some international markets».

With regard to nationalities, André Gomes said that the Portuguese market remains the most weight at this time, «With many families to enjoy the holiday and the long weekend to enjoy some mini -springs in the Algarve». But also stand out foreign tourists, especially British, Germans, Swedes and Dutch «Who seek the region for both the mild climate and the offer of golf and leisure».

But focusing only on Carnival, of course what the Algarve has to offer attracts many people. «The Carnival Corses of Loulé, Quarteira, Moncarapacho, Height or Paderne, as well as children's parades and carnival balls, are fundamental to attract visitors and streamline the local economy»guarantees the president of the Algarve tourism, who also argues that these events « Not only do hotel occupation and restoration increase, but also reinforce the cultural identity of the region and promote its tourist diversity, demonstrating that the Algarve offers much more than traditional sun and sea tourism ».

Escapadinhas in Alentejo

Although the region does not count on the main carnival attractions, the Alentejo also benefits from this extended weekend.

To our newspaper, José Santos, president of the regional tourism entity of Alentejo and Ribatejo, said that, at this stage, the estimated occupation is Rondas 75% «But we will still have many last -minute reserves». The perspectives are « The best »guarantees. This is an important time for the region «Not so much for carnival, but because it is a weekend escapada and the Portuguese always react very favoring the Alentejo».

As with the Algarve, José Santos highlights the importance of the Portuguese market at this time but also highlights the addition of the Spanish market.

And although the Alentejo does not have great carnival activities, there are many that do not go unnoticed. “It would highlight Elvas, Cuba, Sines and Redondo, which offer excellent activities. And in Ribatejo, Rio Maior and Cartaxo »highlights.

Lisbon and Porto with many activities

In the Lisbon region, one of the best known carnivals is Loures, which attracts thousands of people every year. But a little everywhere there are parties and several carnivals for all tastes. This year, in Lisbon, the Brazilian Street Carnival will officially integrate the city's calendar, with the institutional recognition and support of the municipality.

In Porto, highlight the carnival pop-up market, but also the masquerade parade at the Electric Car Museum, the Ermesinde Carnival or the radical drumming parade.

Depression on the way

But for revelers the news may not be the best. The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that, from this Friday, «A depression with expression at altitude will be centered west of mainland Portugal»which will eventually affect the state of time until March 4, including the carnival season.

Thus, they are scheduled to eat that start this Friday «In the coastal regions and extending to the interior regions throughout the day, but between February 28 and March 2 seem to be more likely in the Central and South regions». However, the IPMA says that the areas of the country where precipitation is expected will be dependent on the depression position, which has some associated uncertainty.

Besides being slightly colder, « With the filling of this depression, it is expected that the showers occur increasingly dispersed and less frequent on March 3 and 4 and only in the southern region».