The idea that it is necessary to diversify the tourist offer and attract visitors in a more balanced way throughout the year is not new. For years, there has been talk about the importance of combating seasonality in the Algarve. However, despite progress, there is still much to be done.
Recent years have brought encouraging signs for Portuguese tourism. According to the National Statistics Institute, national tourist seasonality fell to 36.6% in 2024; the lowest value in more than a decade. This means that the concentration of overnight stays in the summer months has decreased and tourism is beginning to be distributed more evenly throughout the year.
Still, regional differences are evident. Alentejo and the Setúbal Peninsula have more seasonality, while Madeira and Lisbon have the lowest levels. The Algarve continues to stand out as one of the most extreme cases: among resident tourists, seasonality exceeds 56%, highlighting the strong dependence on summer.
At the same time, the region recorded a less discussed but very relevant fact: in November there was a significant increase in national tourists. This trend deviates from the traditional pattern and could become a structural opportunity. This is precisely where the central question arises: investing in tourism outside of high season could be one of the most intelligent and sustainable strategies for the Algarve.
Sustainability vs. seasonality
The Algarve is one of the Portuguese regions most dependent on tourism and also one of the most seasonal. This model brings environmental and economic weaknesses, well known to those who live in the region:
• Excessive pressure on resources (water, mobility, energy) in short periods.
• Economic inequality between coast and interior, and between high and low seasons.
• Precarious and highly rotating employment.
• Dependence on beach tourism in a context of climate change that makes summer more unpredictable.
The national strategy for sustainable tourism advocates temporal and geographic diversification. However, in practice, the sector continues to operate (almost) exclusively for the summer.
Positive signs, but still insufficient
The increase in visitors in November is an excellent indicator and shows that there is demand for other experiences such as gastronomy, nature, culture, wine tourism, hiking, golf or well-being.
There are also interesting initiatives that seek to boost the Algarve outside of the high season, from gastronomic festivals to cultural events or events linked to nature tourism. These projects attract new visitor profiles and create value for residents and local businesses during traditionally “dead” months. These are important steps and should continue to be promoted. However, they remain niches and do not yet have the scale to structurally alter seasonality.
Why does seasonality persist?
If there is consensus on the benefits of distributing tourism throughout the year, and despite existing efforts, the question is inevitable: why does the Algarve remain so dependent on summer?
There are several possible answers. To begin with, the tourist offer in the low season is too dispersed. There are interesting projects and events, but they appear in isolation, without constituting an articulated product or a narrative capable of attracting more.
Furthermore, many off-season events are one-offs, short and aimed at specific audiences. These are worthy initiatives, but not structuring. To combat seasonality, it is not enough to program — you need to generate magnetism. Tourist attractiveness is built with time, continuity, positioning and, above all, with integrated marketing between public entities, operators, hotels and culture.
There are also little explored opportunities. THE birdwatching is the most obvious example: the Algarve is one of the best European destinations for observing migratory birds in autumn and winter, but this wealth remains practically invisible to the general public.
On the other hand, the tourist profile itself is changing. More and more travelers are avoiding busy times and looking for less popular destinations, with authenticity, nature, culture and a slower pace. If the Algarve intends to attract this public, it needs to reposition itself and communicate itself as an alternative destination in alternative months.
Ultimately, the challenge is no longer just creating an offer: it is creating meaning. And communicate assertively to those who value precisely what the region has to offer outside of summer.
It is important to remember that changing the image of a destination, and the behavior of those who visit it, takes time. But the Algarve has the capacity and resources to become a more sustainable destination and less dependent on seasonality. Now it’s a matter of persistence, strategy and time.
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