Turismo do Algarve anticipates a very strong demand for the Portuguese MotoGP Grand Prix and believes that the impact of the event on the region goes beyond the expected 65,000 spectators.
Speaking to Lusa agency, President of the Algarve Tourist Board (RTA) Joao Fernandes called the number of spectators expected at the opening of the MotoGP World Championship “very significant”, but emphasized that these visitors should also be added families who take the opportunity to spend the weekend in the south countries.
“Expectations are really very high because we are aiming for more than 65,000 spectators, which is very, very important in terms of the influx of people in the Algarve, since most of the spectators come from other regions of Portugal or abroad,” he suggested.
João Fernandes stressed that three weeks before the event, which takes place from Friday to Sunday at the Algarve International Circuit, the teams tested their equipment at the Portimonense circuit with their drivers and support teams, which represents a “very significant impact” on tourism in the region.
He noted that this influence is felt in the western part of the Algarve, as well as “up to the district of Vilamoura”, located in the central part of the region, in the municipality of Loulé.
“We are talking about 65,000 people, and there are also many people who, even if they are not going to the show, come. For example, family members of fans, in which one of the family members goes to the event, and others come here, taking the opportunity to spend the weekend,” he said.
Thus, the demand in the region “exceeds the number of spectators” at the race and “is not limited to hotels in the immediate vicinity of the race track,” he added.
According to Joao Fernandes, the race again has the attraction of seeing Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira on a brand new bike (Aprilia instead of KTM) and the coincidence that the Grand Prix is the first race. of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, which allows fans to “aspire” to witness the race after a months-long hiatus from competition.
“We also know that MotoGP has a huge impact, not only when it happens, but because of its ability to light up destinations. The Grand Prix in Portimão is of particular interest,” he concluded.
In a conversation with Lusa, the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) believes that thanks to this event, hotels in the areas of Lagos and Portimão will have an “excellent” occupancy and that the “impact” of the event on the sector you can reach Vilamoura.
“These are the events we need to carry out during the low season in order to guarantee an increase in occupancy during these periods,” emphasized Helder Martins.
MotoGP is the highest category of the world championship in speed motorsport, the championship of which starts this weekend in Portugal.
The Moto2 and Moto3 categories are other categories that are available for capture.