Surging tourist numbers, plans for more flights and award-winning golf – Portugal’s appeal is on the rise, signalling an exciting 2015 for this popular second home destination. We take a closer look…
Article written by The Overseas Guides Company
Foreigners have returned to Portugal and the Algarve in their droves this year, according to figures from the Portuguese Tourist Board that show a 12 per cent rise in overseas tourists between January and August compared to the same period last year. Brits are spearheading the influx too – UK visitor numbers grew by 15 per cent year-on-year for the same period.
Also encouraging is the news that hundreds of new flights to Portugal are due to launch in 2015, thanks to improved services from the likes of British Airways, Flybe, Thomson, easyJet, Norwegian and national TAP, which has additional routes from the UK planned as well as new services to South and Central America.
Meanwhile, Portugal recently rubber stamped its status as a leading golf global destination when it was crowned the world’s best golf destination at the inaugural World Golf Awards, held at the chic Conrad Algarve hotel. Adding to this, Quinta do Lago’s newly renovated North Course won the title for Europe’s Best New Golf Course at the same awards.
This is all great news for second homeowners and anyone in the market for a Portuguese property, especially those who rent out – or intend to rent out – their property to holidaymakers.
Meanwhile, the Algarve remains one of the most enjoyable places to live, with a healthy, laid-back lifestyle combined with an attractive tax scheme for qualifying expats.
“I’ve lived in Portugal for four years now and love it more and more each day,” said Marina Pasquill, an expat who helps British and other foreign people buy suitable property and settle in the Algarve. “I originally made the move from the UK to offer a better quality of life to my daughter, who couldn’t be happier. She gets lots of fresh air, thrives on the healthy food and lifestyle, and the schools here are great.” Marina works at www.PortugalBuyingGuide.com, a free resource for buyers in Portugal with an office in Vilamoura.
Since moving to the Algarve, Marina has worked at one of the Algarve’s most prestigious golf courses, on the expat newspaper ‘The Portugal News’ and for a leading estate agency based in Albufeira. There is not much she doesn’t know about being an expat in the Algarve.
“I know and have worked closely with British people who have second homes or live here,” continued Marina. “I’ve seen first-hand the types of issues that can crop up during the Portuguese buying process or once you are an owner. It’s great being able to guide people looking for their ideal home here or those moving out here permanently, and put them in touch with the right people.”
For more information on buying property successfully in Portugal, download the Overseas Guides Company’s free Portugal Buying Guide – and start receiving free news updates by email. And to see property for sale in the Algarve, visit Rightmove’s Algarve listings.
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