"The impact is very residual, as demand at the end of the year is mainly from national [tourists] and nationals will have no difficulty in presenting a certificate, because the population in its entirety is vaccinated", considered the president of the Association of Algarve Hotels and Tourist Resorts (AHETA).

Despite anticipating a "very small impact" on the hotel industry, Elidérico Viegas admitted that there could be "some complications" with regard to foreign demand, as a negative test for Covid-19 is now mandatory for all flights arriving from abroad.

“The fact that tourists have to present, right from the start, at the airport, a negative certificate contributes to discouraging many people who would consider travelling to our country and, in particular, to the Algarve”, stressed the businessman.

As the measures coincide with the tourist low season, the impact on hotels is smaller, he noted, adding that the impact would not be the same if these restrictions were to occur in the high season.

“What we hope is that these restrictions will help to alleviate the problem and that, at the beginning of the next tourist season, that is, at Easter, we will already be able to count on a demand that can contribute to the recovery [of the sector]”, he said.