The global financial crisis has impacted many areas of the tourist industry. Many UK holiday makers are opting to stay in the UK with the Euro exchange rate making European travel a less attractive prospect.

In 2009 the recession in Portugal lead to a shortfall in the number of rental cars in the Algarve. The situation is likely to be repeated in the Summer of 2010. Matt May spokesman for UK company Blue Valley Car Hire who provide car hire in the Algarve region of Portugal explains.

“In Portugal, most of the local rental car companies rely on hiring in additional cars during the busy periods such as Easter and Summer to boost the size of their rental car fleets. The credit crunch in Europe has made it much more difficult for these companies to obtain additional cars for the busy periods, as the companies that they lease from are insisting on longer term leases. The result in Summer 2009 was spiralling prices and a general car hire shortage. Many people turning up at Faro Airports without a pre-booked car last Summer discovered that there were no rental cars available.”

Matt continues “we are anticipating a similar situation in 2010, so we recommend that people book as early as possible. The situation at Faro Airport which is the hub of the Algarve tourist industry in 2009 was very frustrating for tourists hoping to pick up a holiday rental car bargain. By booking early you will guarantee that a car is reserved in your name, and avoid having to pay the higher prices on arrival at the airport.”

For more information on car rental at Faro Airport in the Algarve Portugal please visit our website.

Between the 11th and 31st of August, Monte Santo in Carvoeiro will welcome the “Lynx, the struggle to exist- a story of survival or extinction” exhibition created by SOS Lynx.

According to the non-profit association founded in 2000 for the conservation of the Iberian-Lynx, SOS Lynx, this creature is the most endangered feline species in the world. It is calculated that only 200 specimens currently live within their natural habitat. This species that once inhabited the entire Iberian Peninsula  has come to disappear in the last decades due greatly to the loss of its natural habitat, the decrease in prey, and a high mortality attributed to car accidents, and hunting.

“We intend to take advantage of August-our busiest month of the year- to appeal to our visitors´ ecological conscience. This exhibit, composed of 8 panels, presents the Iberian lynx in a didactic yet fascinating perspective, showing us how this feline species struggles on a daily basis to survive. Receiving this exhibit within our resort is a simple contribution to a noble cause we are happy to make.” stated Marc Sontag, IMOCOM Hotels and Resorts’ Director of Residential Tourism.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Carvoeiro and discover how you may help the Iberian Lynx- the last large feline indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula and the most endangered mammal in Europe.

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Editor’s Information

For more information please contact:

Jennifer Freire

PR & Communications Assistant

Tel.: +351 282 321 000, Fax: +351 282 321 001, e-mail: [email protected]

Site: www.montesantoalgarve.com

Between the 1^st of July and the 31^st of August, Monte Santo will welcome the Belgian artist Michele Frederickx´s exhibit, entitled “Nature in Progress”.

The Vernissage is scheduled for July 1^st, at 6 p.m. and the painter will be on hand to share her inspirations with all of our guests. Admission to the event is free of charge and includes an enjoyable cocktail.

Michele Frederick, most commonly known as Mikki.F, was born on March 11^th 1963, in Gent, Belgium. Her artistic techniques were perfected at the Brugge’s Arts School, where she graduated with a major in art. She later complemented her studies with graphic and fashion design. For 15 years, she dedicated her talent to designing for world renowned jewelers. Throughout these years Michele Frederickx was also able to evolve as an artist through several small projects including interior design. In 2002, she achieved her ultimate passion, to create art with absolute freedom and creativity.

Her paintings have been displayed throughout Belgium, in events such as Liberat, Talent and Sfeer, from 2004 until 2006. In 2004 her work was also displayed in Sun Valley (U.S.A). Her latest exhibits have been in Portugal, more specifically the Algarve, where she has already presented her work on 4 separate occasions.

This exhibition, organized by Monte Santo and the artist, will include 13 paintings and will be on display within the resort´s Club House from July 1^st until August 31^st.. On September 1^s, Monte Santo will then welcome a new collection of Mikki F.´s art, 13 paintings with a “Marrakech” theme. These will be displayed during 6 months.

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Editor Information

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Freire

PR & Communication Assistant

Tel.: 282 321 000, Fax: 282 321 001, e-mail: [email protected]

Site: www.montesantoalgarve.com

June 2009 – International destinations far and wide are being affected by a shortage of hire cars, travel firm DialAFlight announced last week.

Travellers are being urged to book their car hire early to avoid disappointment, as rental operators in Canada, Spain, Portugal and Croatia all expect demand to exceed supply this season.

In North America, ongoing upheaval in the auto industry has raised significant concerns about the numbers of vehicles available to rental companies. With major market players (including Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) closing factories and losing assets, fewer cars are coming off the production line.

According to Dan Fogarty, manager of Discount Car and Truck Rental in Sydney, Nova Scotia, “The thing about the summer is that you rent all your vehicles all the time. So having less vehicles will just make things much more tricky. The size of my fleet right now is not the size that I planned for it to be.”

In Europe, popular destinations such as Alicante, Palma, Faro and Malaga have all suffered from car shortages. A number of suppliers have simply held their stock levels due to the economic climate, and are now being caught out as summer travellers continue with their holidays, unperturbed by the recession.

DialAFlight, who arrange car hire for passengers across the globe, say that “many of our car hire suppliers have not replaced their fleets this year because the manufacturers are refusing to buy back the old vehicles owing to the credit crunch. We are already receiving Stop Sales alerts for August as there is a shortage of cars in some areas. If you need car rental this summer we recommend booking it now!”

–Notes to Editors–

About DialAFlight

DialAFlight is one of the UK’s top travel companies offering flights, hotels, car hire, city breaks holidays, including cheap flights to Orlando and cheap flights to Las Vegas travel insurance and Business Travel to help you to create the perfect all-inclusive trip to any worldwide destination. Because we’ve been in business for more than 25 years, we’re able to secure the best travel industry rates available. We pride ourselves on our experienced sales staff who are all well-travelled and committed to creating your perfect trip – at bargain prices.

DialAFlight
Sandpiper House,
39 Queen Elizabeth Street,
London
SE1 2BT
Tel: 02079629966
Email: [email protected]
website: www.dialaflight.com

As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, a five star property with the largest most luxurious suites in Vilamoura, has launched a special promotion that allows visitors to enjoy a spectacular holiday in June with a 65% discount on rack rate.

This fantastic offer includes an early check-in, late check-out, complete breakfast buffet, complimentary access to the health club, indoor pool, tennis courts and countless resort pools, complimentary shuttle service to the Vilamoura Marina and the Falésia beach, parking and a 10% discount on the magnificent 7Seven Spa Vilamoura.

As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, is a unique getaway, with the services and facilities of an international world-renowned chain, where well-known celebrities such as DJ Tiesto and 2 Many Djs have already enjoyed it´s features.

With one of the largest most luxurious Spas in Portugal spanning over 2.800m2 of pure relaxation, refreshing pools, a health club, tennis courts, golf simulators along with a world-class golf course at its doorstep, a wonderful kids club, various restaurants, bares, a beach club on the Falésia beach, and of course the warm and welcoming staff of the IMOCOM Hotels and Resorts, As Cascatas is the ideal location for an unforgettable holiday where you may savour the best the Algarve has to offer.

Take advantage of the opportunity and bask in the luxury and comfort of a 5 star property with an unbeatable offer. This is however, a limited offer so book now!

This promotion is available until the 30^th of June, has no minimum nights stay, but must be booked through our reception by e-mail: [email protected] or Tel. 289 304 900, while mentioning the promotional code “Promo June 65%”.

The world of social media marketing has become a fundamental tool for many businesses. For IMOCOM Hotels and Resorts and its luxurious Algarve properties- As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, in Vilamoura and Monte Santo, in Carvoeiro- this is an opportunity to keep their followers updated while rewarding its guests, employees and numerous other fans with complimentary weekends.

Every month a lucky registered fan wins a complimentary weekend for two with breakfast included at one of the spectacular 5 star resorts. This month´s winners were previous guests from Ireland and Scotland. As an added incentive this offer was extended to all of the IMOCOM employees in Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Argentina.

Along with Facebook, guests may also follow the IMOCOM Hotels and Resorts on Twitter! Future social media projects include Flirck, Linkdin and Wikitravel/Wikipedia. Each resort also has a Blog where visitors may drop by and read up on the most recent tourism and hospitality news.

Recently inaugurated the resorts’ two new websites have a modern design, multiple booking functions, information regarding the numerous IMOCOM Experiences available, photographs and details of the wonderful suites, useful descriptions of the neighboring golf courses while offering helpful tips of the Algarve, along with all the Monte Santo and As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa news.

Visitors may explore these virtual portals at www.montesantoalgarve.com and www.ascascatasvilamoura.com or directly on Twitter or Facebook. Allow us to recommend a pit stop at Facebook so that you along with your family and friends may become fans and enter to win a complimentary weekend in the Algarve.