Porto Santo’s December Occupancy Declined
Unlike Madeira, where hotel stays increase during Christmas and New Year, and different that in the last couple of years, Porto Santo shows weaker demand in hotels this year. According to RTP Madeira, this is because this year there are fewer flights to Porto Santo.
Hoteliers explain the low December occupancy by the limited number of flight connections.
Smaller Hotels Reach 70% to 85% Occupancy Amid Vila Baleira Renovations
Bruno Martins, general manager of the Vila Baleira group, said that the December period is generally the weakest of the year. Overall, smaller hotels such as Vila Baleira Suites and Villas, totaling 110 rooms, reach 70–85% occupancy. The main hotel, Vila Baleira Porto Santo, is currently closed for renovations, limiting total capacity.
We are talking about an occupancy rate around 25%, almost reaching 30%.
Marco Lisboa, The Navigator Columbus Hotel, RTP Madeira
Navigator Columbus Hotel Sees Peak Occupancy Near 30% From December 20
Marco Lisboa, director of the Navigator Columbus hotel, highlighted that the last ten days of December are critical. “We are talking about an occupancy rate around 25%, almost reaching 30%,” he said. These numbers show a slower season compared with years when higher occupancy was possible with more air connections.
Limited Direct Flights From Lisbon Reduce December Hotel Bookings
Hotel managers attribute low occupancy to a small number of flights. This year, only six direct connections from Lisbon via Easyjet operate, which is insufficient to meet demand. Porto Santo remains mainly visited by Nordic and Portuguese tourists during the holiday period.
The unusually low hotel occupancy highlights the tourism sector’s extreme volatility and its heavy reliance on airlines, which can reduce connections at any time - affecting the whole industry.
Source: RTP Madeira
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