Carvoeiro businesses need to do more

[jamielyon4]

Having just spent 4 days in Carvoeiro I couldt help but notice how little effort the restaurant owners put into promoting their business. We walked up restaurant hill every night and it was frightening to see the waiters sat staring out of the window just waiting for it to happen, with empty restaurants. The only promotional effort was the Indian chap handing out menus by the Sol...a little effort but at least an effort.

Search on google and its depressing to see how few have active listings on the web, how many restaurants and bars are there.. 100 or more??? There are sites like Eatalgarve and Finditalgarve who offer free listing, its beyond me why everyone isnt listed on to drive people to our town.

What is it?..is it apathy, not understanding what to do, no time ( I cant belive this is the case), too much money....

At a time when people are cutting back its imperative that these guys get their act together else we will see more close and thats not what we want to see.

Even the reviews on Tripadvisor are done by the public and are a personal opinion, limited detail and sometimes damaging.

Anyone else thought the same?

Rant over

[Aldo]

I agree completely. My fear is that CVO will lose trade as its appears to be becoming quieter and not attracting golfers by all accounts. Its a beautiful place but needs to be a little more commercially aware. I dont mean attract the masses and spoil CVO but attract more all year round trade.

[jamielyon4]

I agree completely. My fear is that CVO will lose trade as its appears to be becoming quieter and not attracting golfers by all accounts. Its a beautiful place but needs to be a little more commercially aware. I dont mean attract the masses and spoil CVO but attract more all year round trade.

Aldo, you are spot on, its not the trade in the school holidays when its full...its the trade in the months before and those after, people have a good time they tell others and come back

[EMM]

I agree that the level of promotion is minimal, maybe this is something the Carvoeiro association could take on board.

How about a free flyer available throughout the village with details of places to eat and drink with sample menus and prices.
Who has entertainment, which nights etc.
Those who do not take part will soon join in when they see business going elsewhere.
With modern computor technology cost will not be high.

Much better than coomplaining about the loss of parking spaces most of which were used by the bar owners anyway.

On the otherhand the last thing Carvoerio needs is what you see elsewhere where it is impossible to walk through places like Albufeira without being conctantly pestered by restaurant touts.

[sunman]

I put a post on here recently called 'quiet' and was surprised at the number of people who disagreed, I don't like to get into pointless debate so I usually express my opinion and move on,
but seeing that you've raised the issue again jamie I have to say that I completely agree with you, the town is much quieter and the lackadaisacal approach of many restaurants and bars to doing anything about drumming up business astounds me.

I understand that we have an eclectic group on this forum & that the likes and dislikes of visitors are often different to residents but IMO Carvoeiro town, particularly restaurant hill is looking tired, some restaurants do do themselves up regularly but others have years old decor, furniture and menus; we've often said that there's a central menu printer who prints dozens off and hands them out to lots of the restaurants.

I had cause to be in Praia da Rocha recently, for those that haven't been lately the plethora of Irish and Sports bars are nearly all gone; replaced by smart modern restaurants and bars, lots of glass, modern furniture, nice decor, something I didn't think could happen there.

It's wrong to tar all with the same brush so a good example in town here would be the new updated Primavera; really good work has gone into the design inside and out, nice furniture, decor and an interesting menu, good on them, I hope more follow their example.

[jamielyon4]

I put a post on here recently called 'quiet' and was surprised at the number of people who disagreed, I don't like to get into pointless debate so I usually express my opinion and move on,
but seeing that you've raised the issue again jamie I have to say that I completely agree with you, the town is much quieter and the lackadaisacal approach of many restaurants and bars to doing anything about drumming up business astounds me.

I understand that we have an eclectic group on this forum & that the likes and dislikes of visitors are often different to residents but IMO Carvoeiro town, particularly restaurant hill is looking tired, some restaurants do do themselves up regularly but others have years old decor, furniture and menus; we've often said that there's a central menu printer who prints dozens off and hands them out to lots of the restaurants.

I had cause to be in Praia da Rocha recently, for those that haven't been lately the plethora of Irish and Sports bars are nearly all gone; replaced by smart modern restaurants and bars, lots of glass, modern furniture, nice decor, something I didn't think could happen there.

It's wrong to tar all with the same brush so a good example in town here would be the new updated Primavera; really good work has gone into the design inside and out, nice furniture, decor and an interesting menu, good on them, I hope more follow their example.

Sunman, good post and again I agree. I think more people will agree when they visit this year. the Primavera looks very smart like Onze with investment in appearance and varied modern menu. People may get put off by the looks thinking it is expensive but try them, they are good value. The other owners should take on board what the regulars say and differentiate themselves from the historic presentation and menus. Draw people in to the resort.

[fmm]

I agree that more promotion should go on, but I LOATHE walking down restaurant hill and being approached by various waiters to enter their establshments. It gives a very downmarket feel to me and does nothing other than ensure I don't go into their particular restaurant. I am sure I am not alone in this.

However, there are many other ways of promoting restaurants more actively. Most people just turn up on holiday, wander around, see where most people are eating, check out the menus and prices and then make their choice. Is there perhaps a way to make this easier? Improve the restaurant map that has been around for the past few years? The places I like to eat are generally busymost of the year round, so I can only asume the quality places don't need to promote themselves as much as some of the other establishments.

But please don't encourage waiters to mug unsuspecting tourists walking up and down restaurant hill - it really does wind up a lot of people and definitely cheapens the place!

[jamielyon4]

I wasnt suggesting having waiters mugging you as you walked past, there are loads of places to promote your wares, my suggestion is use them. I too dont want to be mitehred by people at doors of reataurants

Use the web, freemaps, local town magazines....but just dont rely on footfall

[fmm]

The large poster stand outside the Mirachor is under utilised - I always tend to look at this as I wander past and it is usually advertising some golf or simply the cost for using the advertising space. This is a good one for restaurants to use I think.

[jamielyon4]

The large poster stand outside the Mirachor is under utilised - I always tend to look at this as I wander past and it is usually advertising some golf or simply the cost for using the advertising space. This is a good one for restaurants to use I think.

good point, you could add the ones at the Sol below the chemist opposite too all prominent positions

[pete-flint]

If the tourist office is being run by the happy gang, as a previous poster complained about, that won't help matters. Can't they get some nice, helpful and knowledgeable young people to volunteer their time to promote the town and businesses. It will work to their benefit in the long run !

[jamielyon4]

If the tourist office is being run by the happy gang, as a previous poster complained about, that won't help matters. Can't they get some nice, helpful and knowledgeable young people to volunteer their time to promote the town and businesses. It will work to their benefit in the long run !

Pete, you are right not a real draw for the new person to Cvo if the tourism ambassador has a face like a slapped a**e and aint prepared to help.

I just dont understand why they dont sing from the cliff tops as Cvo has everything and such a short season to make it pay

We are sending Rich down in summer to put it right!

[HampshireRich]

If the tourist office is being run by the happy gang, as a previous poster complained about, that won't help matters. Can't they get some nice, helpful and knowledgeable young people to volunteer their time to promote the town and businesses. It will work to their benefit in the long run !

Pete, you are right not a real draw for the new person to Cvo if the tourism ambassador has a face like a slapped a**e and aint prepared to help.

I just dont understand why they dont sing from the cliff tops as Cvo has everything and such a short season to make it pay

We are sending Rich down in summer to put it right!

I'll be publishing pictures of me in a thong, standing on the beach at CVO - that'll get them rushing in

[bruce]

Thank goodness you will be gone when we get there Rich

[HampshireRich]

Thank goodness you will be gone when we get there Rich

.... the vision will live on though - in everyone's memory who read these posts