Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 17th November 2021
Tourism in the Algarve must already have a “normal” 2022, but there are concerns: lack of labour and TAP flights, covid-19 and the extinction of the SEF
In 2021, the Algarve should reach 60% of the income it had in 2019 and the air operation at Faro airport is expected to be regularized next Easter compared to what it was before the pandemic, according to the president of the Tourism Region.
But there are risks to be faced, such as a new wave of covid-19 in countries that send tourists and the loss of 85,000 workers due to the pre-pandemic, according to Social Security figures. “It is necessary for companies to withstand the winter”, stresses the president of the tourism region
Tourism is on a growing recovery in the Algarve in the last quarter, with the region forecasting already having ‘normal’ levels of demand, compared to pre-covid, from March of next year, according to João Fernandes.
Europe finances surface light rail between Faro, Airport, UAlg, Loulé and Olhão
A light rail between Faro, the Airport, the University of Algarve, Parque das Cidades, Loulé and Olhão. This is a work that is included in the proposal for the distribution of community funds for Portugal 2030, which is under public consultation until 30 November.
According to the document, the aim is for the money, coming from European funds, to support the “link, in a light surface rail system, between Faro-Airport-Universidade do Algarve-Parque das Cidades-Loulé-Olhão, in an approximate extension of 35 kilometers’.
With this work, it contributes “to the de-carbonization of the regional transport system and road safety”, he adds.
This proposal is based on the fact that the area to be served is the one with the “highest population concentration in the South of the country”.
A surface meter, the document argues, will help “more than 150,000 regular residents in urban and suburban areas” who “count thousands of commuting trips daily in their own vehicle, often with a single occupant.”
Added to this are «the journeys of embarked/disembarked passengers at Faro Airport who seek these urban centers and also those who choose to continue their journey by rail», he adds.
Rescued migrants in the south of the Algarve asked for international protection
The 37 migrants rescued on Thursday by the Navy in international waters, south of the Algarve, are not involved in any illicit or criminal activity and have asked for international protection, indicated the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).
In a note to the media, the SEF refers that it carried out, in a second interview to those targeted, “all the necessary procedures for registration” of migrants, “no illicit or criminal activity having been identified”.
The migrants, all men, including a 16-year-old boy, come from North Africa and “have submitted a request for international protection to the Portuguese State, and the SEF is proceeding with the processing”, the note said.
The SEF reaffirms that, upon the arrival of the men in the Algarve, «the first priority» was «to provide food and provide essential health care», with three being assisted in the emergency room at the Hospital de Portimão.
Faro Customs officials se1ze 1.5 kilos of cocaine at Faro airport
Faro, 15 Nov 2021 (Lusa) – Customs officials at Faro airport seized 1.5 kilos of cocaine in a bag, today disclosed the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (AT), which in recent weeks has made several drug seizures on flights from Brazil.
In a statement, the AT explained that the seizure took place on 12 November at the customs point at Faro airport and that the cocaine was being transported inside luggage that accompanied a traveller from Brazil.
“The modus operandi used in this case hid the transported drug hidden inside cosmetic product packaging, namely a bottle of hair cream and a jar of reducing gel”.
The detection of narcotic drugs was carried out by customs officials, through risk analysis, inspection, and control techniques developed by the authority.
Over the past few weeks, the AT Customs services made several seizures of cocaine at the airports of Lisbon and Porto, hidden in suitcases from Brazil.
Later, still on Thursday, the SEF conducted the first interview with the migrants and collected biometric data to assess their identities, the note adds.
The 37 migrants are installed in tents provided by the Civil Protection at the Naval Support Point – Cais da Marinha, in Portimão.
The men were rescued from a vessel sailing in international waters, south of the Algarve, which, according to the Navy, was sighted by a merchant ship late on Wednesday.
The Navy then moved to the location means, which on Thursday morning approached the crew.