The Algarve Tourism Association (RTA) is looking to promote the Algarve as a gastro tourism destination to further broaden the appeal of the region throughout the year and to a new niche of tourists who may have previously not considered a break in the Algarve.

The RTA have announced that they have studied all the food and wine offerings in the Algarve and how they could potentially be marketed to international travellers.

Gastro tourism is a growing sector in the tourism industry globally however, Portugal and the Algarve are not traditionally known for food and wine tourism, despite many regular visitors to the area already knowing that there are many offerings available for “foodies”.

When it comes to comparing the Algarve and Portugal with other countries and destinations attracting gastro tourism the study by the RTA found that “Portugal had a reduced offering” in the sector compared to other European countries with only 37 gastro programmes identified across the country and only nine in the Algarve itself.

The RTA now aims to help support the existing gastro tourism efforts and to also encourage other businesses to open with the aim of promoting local produce, restaurants, vineyards and the unique food culture of the region which combines traditions from both the coast and the country, as well as a rich wine making history.

RTA president João Fernandes said: “Gastro tourism is of great strategic importance to the Algarve, not only to highlight the high-quality products available but also in helping to reduce seasonality in the tourism sector.

“This form of tourism helps to also boost the local economy, preserve the culture and traditions of the region and is a great opportunity to diversify tourism in the Algarve further.”

Since the 1980s the Algarve has grown to be a firm favourite for families looking for conventional holidays in the warm sunshine as well as being a top destination for golfers who are able to take advantage of the top-quality golf courses across the region.

While the traditional forms of tourism in the Algarve remain important for the local economy, increasingly the profile of tourists coming to the region is changing, allowing for new experiences and less seasonal tourism to develop.

The Algarve is a fantastic destination throughout the year, and with some 300 days a year of sunshine, a break to the region outside of the summer months can still lead to days on the beach and around the pool.