Will Maddie Cause Tourism Slump?
21 May 2007
Officials in Portugal are concerned that the disappearance of a four-year-old British girl from a hotel in the Algarve will discourage visitors from heading to the country's top tourism centre.
The story has dominated front pages and had led newscasts in Britain since Madeleine McCann vanished from a resort in Praia da Luz two weeks ago after her parents left her, and her brother and sister both aged two, alone while they went to a nearby restaurant. Police continue to search for her.
British visitors account for nearly 40 percent of all overnight stays in the Algarve, a region of sandy beaches and white-washed houses.
Six days after Madeleine went missing on May 3 the government suspended an international ad campaign promoting the Algarve.
The ad campaign is part of a stepped up effort by the authorities to boost the image of the Algarve as more than just a beach destination as it strives to compete with growing competition from cheaper Mediterranean sunshine destinations like Tunisia and Turkey.
Economy Minister Manuel Pinho said at the time that it would be a "sensible move" to delay the ad campaign but he said he did not think the disappearance of the four-year-old would stop tourists from coming to the country.
"Portugal is one of the safest destinations in Europe and that image should remain that way," he said. But not everyone is as optimistic.
"People on a holiday want to relax"
"It can't be good, it has been days and days of the media talking about nothing but this," said the manager of a 40-room hotel in the former fishing village of Quarteira in central Algarve, who said he did not want to be identified so as to not link his establishment to the case.
"People on a holiday want to relax, some people might not feel like the Algarve is a place where they can do that after reading about this," he added.
At stake is a sector that employs 10 percent of all workers in Portugal, a nation of some 10.5 million people, and generates about eight percent of its gross domestic product, according to economy ministry figures.
Police on Tuesday announced that they had identified a 33-year-old British suspect but did not have enough evidence to charge him. Their investigation continues.
Adding to the concerns of tourism officials is the fact that Praia da Luz is located at the more rural — and quieter — western end of the Algarve which is especially popular with families.
Celebrities appeal for info
The case was drawn high profile attention in Britain. Former England soccer captain David Beckham and Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo have made televised appeals for information while British author J.K. Rowling who penned the "Harry Potter" series has contributed to a reward fund for the safe return of the little girl that tops £2.5 million pounds.
"This kind of thing will always have some impact," said Jose Dias, an executive member of the Algarve Tourism Board which is charged with promoting the region.
Still, many British tourists who strolled the cobblestoned streets and filled the sandy beaches of Praia da Luz where the events have unfolded said they would not hesitate to return to the region.
"It is a sad situation but there have been cases like this in England too. We have enjoyed the weather and the atmosphere and would come back, sure," said Mark Clare as he walked along the town's palm-tree lined beachfront with his girlfriend Janet.
Officials in Portugal are concerned that the disappearance of a four-year-old British girl from a hotel in the Algarve will discourage visitors from heading to the country's top tourism centre.
The story has dominated front pages and had led newscasts in Britain since Madeleine McCann vanished from a resort in Praia da Luz two weeks ago after her parents left her, and her brother and sister both aged two, alone while they went to a nearby restaurant. Police continue to search for her.
British visitors account for nearly 40 percent of all overnight stays in the Algarve, a region of sandy beaches and white-washed houses.
Six days after Madeleine went missing on May 3 the government suspended an international ad campaign promoting the Algarve.
The ad campaign is part of a stepped up effort by the authorities to boost the image of the Algarve as more than just a beach destination as it strives to compete with growing competition from cheaper Mediterranean sunshine destinations like Tunisia and Turkey.
Economy Minister Manuel Pinho said at the time that it would be a "sensible move" to delay the ad campaign but he said he did not think the disappearance of the four-year-old would stop tourists from coming to the country.
"Portugal is one of the safest destinations in Europe and that image should remain that way," he said. But not everyone is as optimistic.
"People on a holiday want to relax"
"It can't be good, it has been days and days of the media talking about nothing but this," said the manager of a 40-room hotel in the former fishing village of Quarteira in central Algarve, who said he did not want to be identified so as to not link his establishment to the case.
"People on a holiday want to relax, some people might not feel like the Algarve is a place where they can do that after reading about this," he added.
At stake is a sector that employs 10 percent of all workers in Portugal, a nation of some 10.5 million people, and generates about eight percent of its gross domestic product, according to economy ministry figures.
Police on Tuesday announced that they had identified a 33-year-old British suspect but did not have enough evidence to charge him. Their investigation continues.
Adding to the concerns of tourism officials is the fact that Praia da Luz is located at the more rural — and quieter — western end of the Algarve which is especially popular with families.
Celebrities appeal for info
The case was drawn high profile attention in Britain. Former England soccer captain David Beckham and Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo have made televised appeals for information while British author J.K. Rowling who penned the "Harry Potter" series has contributed to a reward fund for the safe return of the little girl that tops £2.5 million pounds.
"This kind of thing will always have some impact," said Jose Dias, an executive member of the Algarve Tourism Board which is charged with promoting the region.
Still, many British tourists who strolled the cobblestoned streets and filled the sandy beaches of Praia da Luz where the events have unfolded said they would not hesitate to return to the region.
"It is a sad situation but there have been cases like this in England too. We have enjoyed the weather and the atmosphere and would come back, sure," said Mark Clare as he walked along the town's palm-tree lined beachfront with his girlfriend Janet.
posted by Co-op Travel Direct at
6:49 AM
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