Regional Government President Miguel Albuquerque has once again identified golf as the principal means of attracting visitors to Porto Santo outside the traditional summer season. Albuquerque noted that the island is experiencing a strong summer, with very good hotel and restaurant occupancy levels, a trend expected to continue into September.
"I am very satisfied," Albuquerque stated, while acknowledging the need to reduce dependence on seasonal tourism. The Regional Government believes the expansion of the golf course will be crucial for attracting visitors during the cooler months when demand for beach holidays declines.
"We have to concentrate on making the months outside the beach season more attractive, and that will undoubtedly be through golf," Albuquerque said. He argued that an improved golfing offer could help Porto Santo attract higher-value tourism throughout more of the year, reducing reliance on the busy summer period. The €10.2 million expansion contract has been awarded, with work expected to begin in October. The project will add nine holes to the existing course, scheduled for completion by 2028, and is described as the island's central tourism project for the months outside of summer.
