Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 3rd November 2021

Despite the low season, Faro airport has seen long queues due to the high number of flights

The president of the Algarve Tourism Board asked this Monday for a reinforcement of agents to avoid bottlenecks in border control, showing concern with the transition of competences of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) to other forces.

Last weekend there were long lines of tourists at Faro airport, especially from the UK, a situation that had already occurred in October and which has now worsened due to the large influx of people, not only due to school holidays in that country, but also to the start of international sporting events.

“It is important to ensure an effective transition and provide the security forces with the appropriate means”, defended João Fernandes, noting that there is “a special opportunity” to strengthen the forces that will control the Algarve borders with the training course for inspectors that is currently underway.

Speaking to Lusa, the official considered that the agents who are completing the course “could serve to reinforce the always deficient cadres of the security forces that now assume these competences”, in the Algarve, and that they would not settle in Lisbon, as happened on other occasions.

Despite the low season, Faro airport has registered long queues due to the high number of flights and passengers landing in the Algarve almost simultaneously, the vast majority outside the Schengen area and especially British, subject to passport control and the main outbound tourist market in the Algarve.

Last weekend, the situation worsened again with the return of tourists to the United Kingdom after the end of school holidays, and also due to the influx of people who are expected to participate in the Portugal Masters in golf and the Grand Prix of the Algarve MotoGP events, which take place next weekend.

“It was important that the forces that are now taking on new competencies have the right resources. However, as both the PSP and the GNR are deficient in terms of human resources and, assuming new skills, they naturally have a period of adaptation and learning, it is very important that there is a detailed plan for the transition, but also the reinforcement of resources human beings”, argued João Fernandes.

The extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) was approved in the Assembly of the Republic on 22 October, and the proposal agreed between the PS and BE determines that the police powers of the SEF pass to the PSP, GNR and Judiciary Police.

According to the proposal, the current attributions in administrative matters regarding foreign citizens are now exercised by a new entity – the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum (APMA) – and by the Institute of Registries and Notaries.

GNR’s #NãoSouDeFerro campaign aims at reversing the increase in motorcycle accidents

As of today, GNR is developing the awareness campaign #NãoSouDeFerro, which aims to reverse the trend of increasing accidents with motorcycles and which will give particular prominence to the Algarve region.

In a statement, the GNR explains that the campaign, which runs until Sunday (7th), will give particular attention to the Algarve region and the Algarve International Autodrome, where the Moto GP Portugal Event will take place, and will alert drivers to the rules safety precautions that must be taken into account while driving.

The intention is to contribute to changing behaviour while driving, with the dissemination of an image accompanied by the title “You can change your motorcycle, life can’t” and advice and the distribution of information leaflets to drivers of two-wheeled motor vehicles.

A video illustrating some of the most frequent dangerous manoeuvres will also be released on digital platforms.

Since motorbike vehicle drivers are a risk group because the consequences of accidents with these vehicles are usually more serious, and a high flow of two-wheel motor vehicles towards the Algarve is expected to accompany the Moto GP, the GNR will develop awareness-raising initiatives in some service areas from north to south of the country and in the vicinity of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

From the analysis of road accidents for the year 2021 until September 30, it appears that about 10% of accidents involved two-wheel motor vehicles.

According to the GNR, of the victims registered this year on the roads, “28.9% are drivers or passengers of two-wheeled vehicles and, of the fatal victims to lament, about 32% also correspond to drivers/passengers of two-wheeled vehicles a motor”.

In the awareness actions it will promote, the GNR will mainly advise on prudence and the importance of adopting defensive driving and increasing the safety distance in relation to the vehicle in front to ensure safe and gradual braking and better visibility.

Redoubling attention in circumstances of adverse weather conditions, driving with the lights on and using high visibility individual equipment are other advices from the GNR, which emphasizes the importance of motorcycle riders always wearing helmets and protective equipment.

Faro urban transport workers start first of four days of strike action

The urban road transport workers in the city of Faro are today completing the first of four days of strike to demand wage increases and contractual changes, also promoting a plenary at the company’s premises.

The decision to go on strike, between today and Friday, was taken at a workers’ plenary held on October 13, in which 80% of the 40 workers of the company PXM (Próximo) Transportes Urbanos de Faro spoke in favour of the strike. , according to the Union of Road and Urban Transport Workers of Portugal (STRUP).

Speaking to Lusa, STRUP’s Algarve regional coordinator, Paulo Afonso, explained that the workers are demanding “an increase in the base salary to 750 euros, the revision of the maximum rest time from three to two hours, the replacement of work schedules service and the full integration of the sole agent allowance into the salary”.

The workers also “want to see the entire single agent subsidy integrated in the salary and not just 5% of the 25% of the normal working hour”, explained that union leader, clarifying that at issue is “a subsidy that drivers receive as compensation for the collection of tickets, since the ticket collectors were abolished”.

The stoppage is also intended to require that the maximum period of “unpaid rest be reduced from three to two hours, as well as the replacement of scales with only two hours of maximum rest”.

Paulo Afonso also said that, on the occasion of the first of the four days of PXM’s strike, the union will promote a plenary at the company’s premises, in downtown Faro, in which they hope to be able to count on the participation of workers from other companies of the Barraqueiro Group, to which the company belongs.

In addition to PXM, the companies Translagos, Frota Azul and Eva Transportes are also part of the Barraqueiro SGPS (Managing Company for Social Participations) in the Algarve.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 27^TH October 2021

Algarve Tourism Promotes a Destination for Travellers Who Prefer to Visit The Region Off Season

Turismo do Algarve is promoting the destination to travellers who appreciate a more sustainable tourism, who are less sensitive to price and who prefer to visit the region outside the high season. Among the main markets that bring together this tourist profile are the countries of northern Europe and the American continent.

According to the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) the strategy  “is to reinforce the promotion of the destination in markets that, according to the characteristics of its tourist profile, are relevant and capable of contributing to the sustainable development of the region. “

As indicated by the ATA, the countries of northern Europe, such as Sweden and Denmark are very motivated by the desire by visitors to play golf in the region. This allows for susbstantial promotion of this area during the winter months.

These countries are also joined by Brazil, the United States and Canada, whose interest in the Algarve has been growing significantly, particularly with regard to the attractions of  gastronomy, culture and nature tourism.

German Elderly Person Missing in Altura Was Found in Monte Gordo

A 72-year-old man, of German nationality, who was missing in Altura (Castro Marim), was located during the night of Monday, 25 October, on the sandy beach of Monte Gordo, by the local police command Maritime of Vila Real de Santo António.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the local command was called to collaborate “in an operation to search for a man who had disappeared, involving two elements supported by a vehicle.”

The missing man was located on the sandy beach of Monte Gordo, around 22:15, showing “some signs of cold and disorientation, and was later assisted by elements of INEM”.

The search operations were coordinated by the GNR of Castro Marim.

GNR Identifies Two Men in Connection With the Theft of 120 kilos of Carob in Alte

On Friday, October 22, the National Republican Guard (GNR) of Salir identified two men, aged 24 and 46, believed to have stolen 120 kilos of Carobs in Esteval dos Mouros – Alte in the municipality of Loulé.

During a patrol action, the Guard soldiers noticed the presence of two men who were picking the Carob.

Following the action, it was possible to ascertain that, in the vicinity of the site, there was a vehicle that already had three bags of Carob in its interior, which had been collected without the consent of the legitimate owner.

During the investigations at the site, it was also found that the suspects had stolen the vehicle.

The suspects were arrested and the facts were referred to the Judicial Court of Loulé.

The GNR, within the scope of the Campo Seguro 2021 operation, has been carrying out awareness and inspection actions since the 1st of June with the purpose of preventing crimes of theft on agricultural properties by strengthening police oversight in order to deter and repress the practice of theft in agricultural fields.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 20^th October 2021

Covid-19: Simultaneous Flu and New Coronavirus Vaccination Stared on Monday

The simultaneous administration of vaccines against influenza and covid-19 started on Monday in mainland Portugal, with the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) planning to vaccinate around two million people in this modality.

Health director-general Graça Freitas assured, on Friday, that “everything is prepared” for the co-administration of the two vaccines to people aged 65 and over as of today, a practice carried out in Portugal and in the world, within the scope of national vaccination programs, which aim to optimize the recommended vaccination schedules.

The DGS said that the available data analysed by the Technical Commission on Vaccination against covid-19, which includes the results of the World Health Organization expert group meeting on vaccination, show that there is an acceptable safety profile after taking of the two vaccines.

Furthermore, the available information suggests the maintenance of the efficacy of both vaccines, as, to date, there is no evidence of altered immune response.

The administration of the third dose of the vaccine against covid-19 is underway in Portugal, with priority being given to the elderly aged 80 and over and users of homes and long-term care, and at this stage, people aged 65 and over. 

Loulé Civil Protection raises awareness of the risk of floods and floods

The Municipality of Loulé, through the Municipal Civil Protection Service, promoted with its fellow citizens an action to raise awareness about the proximity of the time of year where there is a greater risk of flooding and flooding in the municipality.

The municipality reports in a statement that leaflets and posters with preventive and self-protection information were distributed in various public, commercial and private spaces. “Municipal technicians also left advice on clearing and monitoring rainwater drainage systems and removing aggregates and other objects that could be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water, among others”, explains the municipality.

The initiative was planned to provide direct contact with the population of the parishes of S. Clemente, S. Sebastião, Boliqueime, Almancil and Quarteira, considered the most vulnerable in this area.

“We must be aware of the effects of the first heavy rainfall, often accompanied by gusts of wind and increased sea agitation. During this period, it is important to be prepared to adopt protective measures, such as unblocking drainage systems and roofs, fixing loose structures and carefully circulating along trees and riverside areas”, clarifies the Municipal Civil Protection Service, which had the cooperation of the Fire Department in this action.

Ministry of Agriculture gives “direct support” to bee farms affected by fires in the Algarve

The Algarve Regional Directorate for Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP Algarve) informed that it continues to provide direct support to livestock producers and beekeepers in areas affected by forest fires in August, in the municipalities of Castro Marim, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

In a statement, DRAP Algarve says it has started this week the distribution of sugar to bee colonies, totalling 8,000 kg, covering a total of 15 beekeepers in the affected areas.

With the arrival of a new shipment of hay and cattle feed, the Regional Directorate continues to directly deliver emergency animal feed to livestock producers who need it.

In this phase, approximately 13,500Kg of straw and 8100Kg of cereals (corn and barley) will be distributed by 11 small ruminant producers.

It should be recalled that due to the fires this summer in the Algarve, a large percentage of agricultural land destined for pasture, as well as places for keeping animal food, such as haystacks, were consumed by fire, which is why this extraordinary support for entrepreneurs was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, and has been “of extreme importance for livestock and bee holdings located in the affected areas”, reads the same document.

 

Algarve Situation report Wednesday 13^th October 2021

World experts debate future of leisure and post-covid tourism in Vilamoura

The 2021 edition of the conference ‘The Resort and Residential Hospitality Forum’ (R&R) dedicated to investment in resorts will take place between 25 and 27 October at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Resort, bringing together international specialists in investments in the area of ​​hospitality and leisure.

The R&R, part of the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), hopes to attract a senior audience of leading investors, developers and operators in the hospitality and leisure sector. This year’s conference theme ‘Leisure Supports the Turnaround’, in addition to focusing on the adaptability demonstrated by this industry, will discuss systemic shifts in hospitality and leisure investment that continue to drive the industry forward, with increasingly blurred lines between life personal and professional, requiring innovation in all aspects so that one can work remotely while living outside the large urban centers, taking advantage of all types of infrastructure and technologies that the resorts make available to their residents.

In the 2019 edition, more than 400 delegates from 14 countries participated in this international meeting that offers a balance between networking and information on investment strategies and trends in the sector.

The CEO of Vilamoura World, João Brion Sanches, will be one of the participants at the conference, on the panel “Destination Portugal”, a session in which the President of Turismo de Portugal, Luís Araújo, and Julio Delgado, CEO of Ombria Resort, will also participate jointly talk about Portugal’s opportunities as an investment destination.

Algarve in the race for Best Beach Destination in the World 2021

The Algarve Tourism Region – RTA, reported that the Algarve is once again nominated for “Best Beach Destination in the World 2021” at the World Travel Awards, the Tourism Oscars, a category that won for the first time last year.

Voting is open to both travellers and the general public, as well as travel and tourism professionals and takes place at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote, with the winner being announced in November, during a gala taking place in Moscow, Russia.

The region’s hospitality industry is also represented in the race to choose the best in the world in the tourism industry, with 20 nominations in various categories, including «Best Beach Resort in the World», «Best Family Resort in the World» or «Best Hotel of the Luxury of the World», among others.

To the two dozen nominations from hotels in the Algarve are added six nominations from units from Madeira, five from Lisbon and one from Alentejo. Portugal is also nominated for “Best Destination in the World”, “Best Family Destination in the World” and “Best Nature Destination in the World”, in a total of 54 national nominations.

Established in 1993 to recognize, reward and celebrate excellence in all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate their 28th anniversary in 2021. Every year, a series of gala ceremonies Regional companies recognize excellence in each continent, culminating in a Grand Final in which only destinations, companies, services and equipment are named among the best in the world. 

Nau Victoria from Spain will dock at Marina de Lagos

Nau Victoria, the replica of the 16th century ship that went around the world with Fernão de Magalhães and Elcano, docks in Lagos from 26th to 31st October.

The show Spain, biennial initiative program more than 40 cultural activities by 2022 across the country, arrives in October to Lagos, with Nau Victoria, a replica of the ship that between 1519 and 1522, has achieved the greatest maritime adventure story:  First Round the World by captains Fernão de Magalhães and Juan Sebastián Elcano.

During the Nau’s stay at the Lagos marina, there will be a program of free visits, guided visits to educational establishments and expert lectures on Spanish-Portuguese maritime exploits.

This replica was built in Spain in 1991, and to delineate the shapes and define the characteristics of the ship, Ignacio Fernández Vial, its designer and builder, conducted a long process of historical research. An exhaustive study, based on documental sources, chronicles, nautical treatises from the 16th century, and iconography of the time, which allowed us to determine its main dimensions, mast, sails and equipment.