Sun-hungry Britons landing in Portugal on Monday after a four-month coronavirus travel ban between the two countries was lifted at midnight were elated to be back on holiday.
Twenty-two flights from Britain were due to land in Portugal on Monday, with most heading to the southern Algarve region, famous for its beaches and golf courses but nearly deserted over the past months as the pandemic kept tourists away.
Thousands of Brits were greeted by beautiful sunshine and a veritable media frenzy upon their arrival on May 17 at Faro Airport, May 17 essentially kick-started the tourism season in the Algarve and Portugal.
Portugal imposed strict, two-month confinement earlier this year to control a new wave of coronavirus infections. It lifted restrictions on visitors from Britain and most European Union countries from Monday.
Tourism businesses hope the return of Britons, who pumped around 3.2 billion euros ($3.9 billion) into Portugal’s economy in 2019, will provide a much-needed boost to the sector, accounting in normal times for 15% of the country’s GDP.
Each arriving passenger received a kit with protective masks and a promotional brochure providing tips and suggestions about what to enjoy whilst in the Algarve.
The lifting of restrictions came after London placed Portugal on its “green list” of countries to visit without having to self-isolate on returning home.
Thousands of English football fans are also expected later this month for the May 29 Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea in Porto.