"Announced Crisis in the Algarve!"

In recent years, it has been hard to ignore the economic reality that has settled over the Algarve. What was once an accessible paradise for tourists from all walks of life has now become a destination where luxury seems to be the only spoken language. From hotels priced at 600 euros per night during Afro Nation, now operating at 60% occupancy rates, to restaurants competing in prices with the world's top gastronomy, the Algarve is expensive. But why? It certainly isn't due to an increase in essential raw materials for the tourism industry or a surge in labor costs from skilled workers coming from India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan. No, the Algarve is expensive due to pure speculation.

Do you remember the 1980s, when vacationing anywhere else was cheaper than in the Algarve? It seems we are swiftly moving towards a new crisis of abandonment. Back then, the Algarve beaches, now adorned with exorbitantly priced umbrellas sold to unsuspecting foreigners, were empty. Have we not learned from that lesson?

Today, as I stroll through the streets of Vilamoura, Portimão, or Albufeira, it's hard not to encounter a restaurant that seems to demand a loan before I even sit down at the table. Inflated prices do not reflect quality or authenticity but rather the greed of those who have realized that willing spenders can be ruthlessly exploited. It's as if visitors are seen as mere walking wallets, ready to be emptied.

Have those responsible for managing tourism in the Algarve forgotten that affordability is the key to long-term sustainability? While they compete to see who can charge the most for a seaside coffee, other regions nearby, perhaps learning from the Algarve's past mistakes, offer quality experiences at fair prices.

This is not just an economic issue but one of ethics and strategic vision. If we continue down this path, we may see the Algarve beaches deserted once again, not because of their lack of beauty but due to the absence of visitors willing to mortgage their future for a summer vacation.

Meanwhile, hoteliers and restaurant owners laugh at their high short-term profits, perhaps unaware that unchecked greed has never built a lasting tourist destination. If the Algarve wants to avoid another crisis of abandonment, it may be time to rethink what truly attracts visitors and ensure that the experience is as memorable as it is affordable.

So, as we admire the sunset over the Atlantic, let us ponder: have we learned anything from history, or are we destined to repeat it?