The Algarve region of Portugal has seen considerable growth in the number of out-of-season visitors this year.

From January to May, visitor numbers were up 12% to 20%, depending on the overseas market.

President of the Algarve Tourism Bureau Andre Gomes said visitor numbers during September and October were also up on previous years.

“That growth will continue until the end of the year,” he said. “Now, in the Algarve, we have seven, eight, nine months of busy tourism.”

His comments, made during WTM London, confirm a trend highlighted in ABTA’s Holiday Habits survey towards shoulder season travel.

The ABTA survey found that almost as many British holidaymakers are planning to travel next spring or autumn as during the summer.

The UK is the Algarve’s biggest overseas market, and by the end of this year the number of British visitors is expected to have returned to 80% of pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Gomes said the region had embarked on several initiatives to keep visitors returning, including a new diving project, Art Reef, in Albufeira, and a Portuguese Michelin Gala next February.

He said the region plans to increase the number of fam trips for travel agents next year, focusing on specific areas and new products.