Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 25^th August 2021

 

Number of unemployed in Algarve decreases

The number of unemployed registered in July, in the Algarve, decreased 21.5% compared to the same month in 2020, according to data released this Monday, 23 August, by the Employment and Professional Training Institute (IEFP).

According to these figures, at the end of the seventh month of the year, the Algarve had 17,932 unemployed registered with the IEFP services, which also represents a significant decrease compared to the previous month: 2098 people left the Employment Centers between June and July, which equates to a decrease of 10.5% of subscribers.

The recovery of tourist activity is the main responsible for the absorption of these workers by companies. Although recruitment for this sector started later this year, there was a sharp drop in the number of IEFP applicants from May onwards, which continued into June and, it is now known, continued into July [see graph].

If the number of registered unemployed decreased, the number of job offers increased – and a lot – compared to the same month in 2020. At the end of July, there were 1026 job offers, 659 more (+179.6%) than there are one year.

Compared to other regions, the Algarve was the one that had the biggest drop in the number of unemployed compared to last year (-21.5%). It is followed by Alentejo (-15.5%), the Centre (-13.7%), North (-9.5%) and Lisbon and Vale do Tejo (-6.7%). At the national level, the variation was -9.5%.

In the Algarve region, all municipalities had a decrease in the number of registered in July, and Portimão is now the municipality with the highest number of registered unemployed: 3,124. It is followed by Loulé, with 2,800, and Faro, with 2,410.

Municipality of Portimão has already paid 30,000 euros to the victims of the rural fire on July 17

The Municipality of Portimão said in a statement that it has already started payments to victims of forest fires under the emergency fund in the amount of 50,000 euros, created to support needy residents who were affected by the rural fire of 17 July last, that harassed the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande until the following day.

In all, the fire mowed down more than 1600 hectares of bush, pasture, eucalyptus and pine trees in the Gordeiro and Pereira sites, having destroyed the electricity supply and access to water, since it is done through artesian and dams.

Farmers with limited resources, whose activity has special importance and impact on the prevention of rural fires, were affected by the fire.

As a result, the Parish Council of Mexilhoeira Grande carried out a preliminary and provisional survey of the affected residents, as well as the damages and the costs of repairs, having estimated the amount of 50,000 euros, for which 30,000 euros have been paid so far.

The same document states that the monetary support fund provided by the Municipality of Portimão, “aimed at restoring normality and access to basic conditions for the affected population, including support for the replacement of water supply structures in homes and irrigation systems for subsistence agriculture, and the payment of the invoices presented so far is already underway”.

 

 

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 18th August 2021

 

Pioneer serological study started in homes in Algarve and Alentejo

5200 people, including 2400 employees and 2800 users, from 62 nursing homes in the Algarve and Alentejo started this Tuesday, the 17th, to undergo the serological test, which will determine the «prevalence of positive antibodies, 8 months after the vaccination’ against Covid-19.

For 10 days, teams from the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC) will run institutions, «from Vila Real de Santo António to Vila do Bispo, in Algarve, and from Odemira to Portalegre, in Alentejo», to carry out these tests. The serological study is voluntary and free of charge. A little prick on the finger to collect the blood and that’s it.

The operation began yesterday, at the Sagres home of Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Vila do Bispo, with the presence of Minister Ana Mendes Godinho, responsible for the Ministry of Work, Solidarity and Social Security. Results will be presented in September.

Speaking to Sul Informação , Nuno Marques, president of ABC, explained that what will be done are tests «on a group of elderly people over 80 years old, who are the people who are in the homes, and, at the same time, the employees of these homes, younger’, only being included ‘people who have been fully vaccinated to date’.

The serological study, added that responsible, “will make the comparison of these two groups, since it is already known that the elderly always have a weaker immune system”, being “often excluded from scientific studies”, which leads to that there is “very little data on this population”.

In other words, this serological study will analyze the immunity of the most vulnerable elderly who have already been vaccinated and compare it with that of employees who received the vaccine at the same time.

 

 

 

 

Algarve tourism in Germany to captivate luxury tourists

During this week, from the 15th to the 18th of August, the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) is participating in the Loop Summer 2021, the most recognized Luxury Travel Show exclusively aimed at markets such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, the event brings together the main agents in the sector dedicated to the luxury tourism segment, with the aim of promoting, over the three days, strategic business meetings and networking moments among the participants.

In a statement, the ATA informs that the promotion of the region among travellers looking for «quality, exclusivity and differentiating experiences» has been one of the bets of Turismo do Algarve, with a view to the sustainable development of the region as a tourist destination.

“We have been intensifying the effort to attract tourists from a medium/high segment, with purchasing power, who appreciate a more sustainable tourism and less sensitive to the price factor”, explains João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve. “The presence at Loop Summer 2021, where we are participating for the first time, assumes, therefore, a strategic relevance, considering that it allows us to contact directly with travel agencies and tour operators specialized in this type of tourism and that work with the market Germany, the second most expressive foreign market for our region, after the United Kingdom,” he adds.

Seniors living alone safer with technology “made in Portimão”

Elderly people who live alone are now more protected and safer with technology “made in Portimão”. click2care tele-assistance system will be offered to 30 seniors from Portimão.

The Municipality of Portimão is proceeding with the free delivery of 30 tele-assistance devices, through the click2care system, to elderly people who were identified by the services of the Health and Citizenship Unit of the municipality because they live in a situation of isolation and without a support network, meager economic income, with this group being monitored in social housing, community centers and senior social centers in the municipality of Portimão and in the GAPI – Support Group for the Elderly.

According to Teresa Mendes, councillor with the responsibility for Social Action and Health at the Portimão Council, “the support that should be given to these people, who normally live alone at home, is essential due to the hectic life that family members have, that prevents the necessary support. Therefore, this tele-assistance system becomes a great asset in emergency situations, allowing them greater proximity and a feeling of security».

In the view of the local authority, who delivered some equipment in person, “it is imperative that our seniors can resort to quick help whenever something happens to them while they are alone, and for this we have established a partnership with the company Tecnologias Imaginadas, who grew up at StartUp Portimão»?

 

«The municipality of Portimão assumes in full the costs inherent to this very useful service for the 30 seniors covered in this first phase, having already signed a 24-month contract. We believe that the amount involved (13,702.80 euros) is by no means an expense, but an investment, because this back-up support provides the appropriate social response to a gap that was felt», stresses Teresa Mendes.

 

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 11^th August 2021

Turismo do Algarve launches campaign to attract “last minute” tourists

Turismo do Algarve does not give up on the summer and launches a new promotional video to attract last minute tourists.

Turismo do Algarve remains committed to attracting international tourists this summer and, accordingly, has just launched a new campaign to promote the destination. With an exclusively digital presence, this action is based on a video that seeks to inspire and attract last minute visitors to the region throughout the months of August, September and October.

Under the motto “Welcome back”, the new campaign invites tourists to return to the Algarve and rediscover all that the destination has to offer.

The video begins with the voice of an air traffic controller from the Faro Airport control tower authorizing the landing in the region, while at the same time seeing a unique scenario for a stay that is expected to be promising.

On land, the huge diversity of experiences that it is possible to live in the Algarve, with family or friends, is revealed, with emphasis on the practice of outdoor sports, such as cycling, hiking, golf or water sports, for the beauty of the natural landscapes, and also for the good moments that can be experienced in the company of the authentic flavours of the region.

Bacteria transmitted by leafhopper detected in Sintra and Algarve

The bacterium affects a large number of species of ornamental plants and also species of crops such as the olive, almond, vine or fig tree.

The bacterium ‘Xylella fastidiosa’ was detected in rosemary plants in the regions of Massamá and Monte Abraão, Sintra, and Luz de Tavira and Santo Estêvão, in the Algarve, announced the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV).

Under the National Action Plan for the Control of ‘Xylella Fastidiosa’ and the official prospecting work, “a positive result for this bacterium was obtained in a sample taken from a batch of rosemary plants in a nursery” in the Luz de Tavira regions and Santo Estevão, while the subspecies of the bacterium remains to be determined, indicated, in a statement, the DGAV.

In total, 122 samples were collected, which are being analysed at the National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research.

A demarcated area has also been established, in which “intensive sampling of other plants susceptible to the bacteria is being carried out, as well as the investigation of vector insects”.

In a later note, the DGAV announced that positive results were obtained “in a bed of rosemary plants existing in a public space in an urban area” in Sintra, with 44 samples being taken.

According to the same document, the phytosanitary inspection services are implementing measures to ascertain the origin of the infections and proceed with their eradication.

At issue is a bacterium transmitted by the insect ‘Philaenus spumarius’ (commonly known as leafhopper), which feeds on the xylem of plants and whose cycle begins in spring.

The bacterium affects a large number of species of ornamental plants and also species of crops such as the olive, almond, vine or fig tree.

On January 18, 2019, Portugal officially informed the European Commission of the presence of the bacterium ‘Xylella fastidiosa’ in lavender plants in the garden of a ‘zoo’ in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, as told to Lusa, at the time, a community source.

 

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 7^Th August 2021

Maritime Police interrupt event with about 300 people on Cabeço beach in Castro Marim

The Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António interrupted yesterday afternoon an unauthorized musical event, with about 300 people, in an establishment on Cabeço beach, in the municipality of Castro Marim.

In a statement, the National Maritime Authority said that following a complaint received at 17:00, informing that an event was taking place on the beach, the elements of the Maritime Police found “that it was an unauthorized musical event, in which about 300 people without the proper social distance were present. The Maritime Police order those present to disperse, which was promptly complied with”.

Six pharmacies in the municipality of Portimão make free Covid-19 tests

Throughout the month of August, citizens of Portimão will be able to carry out a free weekly screening test to Covid-19, in the six pharmacies in the county covered by the protocol established between the City Council, the ANF – Association National of Pharmacies and Farminveste.

As the municipality explains in a press release, also throughout this month, four advanced testing posts are available, known as ‘walk thru’, located next to the old fish market in the riverside area of ​​Portimão, in the riverside area of ​​Alvor, in the Marina de Portimão and near the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, in Praia da Rocha, whose practiced values ​​are defined and are the responsibility of the private entities that promote the tests in these outposts, the costs of which are borne by the interested parties.

Residents interested in carrying out rapid antigen tests in pharmacies should schedule in advance with the six participating pharmacies, by telephone, and they only take place from Wednesday to Saturday, as well as on the 15th of August holiday.

The following pharmacies joined this campaign: Arade (tests between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm, from Wednesday to Friday – telephone 282 425 858); Carvalho (10:00 to 18:00, from Wednesday to Saturday – tel. 282 423 516); Central (11:00 am to 3:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, on Saturdays – 282 422 068); Palma Santos (11:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, from Wednesday to Saturday – tel. 282 485 641); Pedra Mourinha (9:30 am to 1:30 pm, from Wednesday to Saturday – tel. 282 422 909); and Rosa Nunes (9:00 am to 1:00 pm, from Wednesday to Friday, and from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays – tel. 282 422 653).

Beneficiaries, who do not need a prescription, must be over 12 years old, not have a complete vaccination schedule or have been previously infected by Covid-19.

Overnight stays from foreigners in the Algarve are down 76 percent in July compared to the same month in 2019.

Overnight stays by foreign tourists in hotels in the Algarve decreased 76 percent in July, compared to the same month in 2019, but the national market increased 40 percent, according to data released today by hoteliers.

According to the Association of Hotels and Touristic Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), general data indicate an overall average occupancy rate per room of 49.5 percent in July, 40.6 percent below the figure recorded in the same month of 2019.

Despite the global decline, accommodation units in the Algarve registered an increase of 40 percent on the national market, compared to July 2019, offset by a 76 percent drop on the external market, according to AHETA in communicated.

In accumulated values, since the beginning of the year, occupancy per room registered an average decrease of 68.9 percent and sales volume a decrease of 68.6 percent compared to the same period in 2019, he adds.

By geographical areas, compared to July 2019, the decreases varied between minus 53.2 percent in Albufeira and minus 24.3 percent in Tavira.

AHETA makes a comparison with the same period of 2019, and not last year, as it was a period in which the sector had not yet been hit by the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

In cumulative terms, in 2020, from January to July, the average load factor decreased by 17.4 percent and sales volume decreased by 18.7 percent.