Yearly Archives: 2014

Nature Tourism in the Algarve 2014 launched in Aljezur

From The Algarve Daily News at http://www.algarvedailynews.com/

Photographs from the Facebook collection of Antonio Carvalho.

The first biennial event for ‘Nature Tourism in the Algarve’ was held in Aljezur on 26, 27 and 28 September, organized by the Associação Vicentina, Associação In Loco and Terras do Baixo Guadiana, co-funded by ProDer and the Associação Vicentina.

Two policy makers headed south to open the event: the Minister for Regional Development, Poiares Maduro and the Secretary of State for Planning and Nature Conservation, Miguel de Castro Neto.

According to the organisers, BTN 2014 (Bienal de Turismo de Natureza ’14) was running a number of seminars and presentations by national and international speakers, a wide range of environmental education activities and celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27 with two walks, one organized by Rota Vicentina and the other by Almargem on part of the Via Algarviana.

Over 100 exhibitors, mostly from the Algarve and relating to nature tourism and associated products, filled the Multipurpose Space in Aljezur.

Opening speeches included, “For many years the Algarve has concentrated its promotional efforts on sun and sea tourism products, causing a concentration of business along a small coastal strip which is reducing year after year. In the ’80s and ‘90s the economy was still smiling at this type of tourism.

“Today with a profound change in the tourism economic model where online and low cost dictate the rules, and competition from other destinations multiply, one realises that seasonality and the lack of alternative tourism products may create short-term problems and accentuate socioeconomic problems in the region.

“It is also in the ‘80s and ‘90s that we saw the depopulation of nearly 70% of the territory of the Algarve, as well as the decline of traditional industries, fishing, salt, agriculture and canning.

“The strong institutional presence at the Biennial of Nature Tourism ‘14 could bring new life and a new interest in rediscovering the low density areas of the Algarve, a territory now visibly in decline, but with specific assets that can be streamlined and translated into economic activity.

“New uses for land and sea give rise to tourism companies, ranging from hiking to bird watching, biking, surfing and diving. The fishermen’s paths are now transformed into hiking trails. The villages and old farms have been made into lodgings of great charm. The salt flats are recovered and we invent new uses for even the traditional products. Cork is made into bags and umbrellas, and beeswax now is used for surfboards.”

The organisers of the Biennial of Nature Tourism ’14 want to bring “a new vision for these areas that is positive and is focused on the opportunities available. Many of the 100 exhibitors at BTN ’14 are examples of this vision, which in Europe has a tourism market of more than 20 million potential customers.

“These are customers who choose the off-season to take holidays and are looking for regions where nature and the authenticity of the destination are key purchase factors.”

Barbecue at the Tennis Courts…

The weather held off long enough for the Tennis Club members to get full benefit from their first barbecue at the courts on the Monte Clerigo road.

Antonio at The Karisma kindly loaned both his drum barbecues for the afternoon and the members, who brought their own drinks and food, enjoyed a few games of tennis, a few drinks…and some fine dining.

Here below are a couple of photographs from the afternoon. Don’t forget, a couple of clicks on the pictures and they will present themselves in a larger size.

Anyone for tennis?

Or, alternatively, a fun afternoon at a barbecue with a few scoops at the Vale da Telha tennis courts!

Just a reminder that Amovate’s Tennis Section is hosting a Fun Afternoon today (Saturday) starting at 2pm at the courts on the road from the Pines Roundabout to Monte Clerigo.

There will be two large drum barbecues (kindly loaned by Antonio at the Karisma) fully fuelled for you to bring your own food (burgers, sausages, whatever takes your fancy to pop on the barbecue) and your own drinks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon (weather permitting!)

And if you fancy a game of tennis, that, too, can be arranged.

Tennis members will be on hand to organise a knock-up for anyone interested in taking up the sport, and if numbers permit there will be an American Tournament, specially constructed so that beginners and established players have an equal chance of winning.

If you don’t have a tennis racquet but would like to play, they can be provided, and of course, tennis balls will also be made available, free of charge.

So, bring the kids, bring the whole family and enjoy the music, the sport, the food and the drinks.

What more could you want?

Surf Houses on Vale da Telha – Your Concerns

The West Coast of the Algarve is a surfers’ paradise—and over the last two or three years it’s not just the surf that has been up, but also the number of surf houses around Vale da Telha and the outlying districts.

All of us who live here are aware of the rapid growth of these establishments, with several villas sold over the past year or so being quickly turned into surf houses with an inordinately high number of occupants at busy times.

While we all understand that this is a tourist area and surf tourism is a vital component in that industry several members have approached Amovate to express their disquiet and concern over some problems that have followed the surfing community to Vale da Telha and the surrounding districts.

These members have asked us to speak with the Camara on their behalf and report the problems that they are experiencing; problems varying from noise pollution, traffic, parking congestion on the roads, and general untidiness—littering etc.

Several of the surf houses, as you know, have been established for some time and seem to be run quite well, taking care not to upset their neighbours and blending in with the community.

But there are, of course others which are creating problems and becoming a public nuisance with activities that do not befit their use among residential properties.

It is certainly not clear whether these surf properties benefit from an AL (Licença de Utilização Turística), or are suitable for such use, or even that the Camara are aware of their existence, the implicit suggestion being that some may be unlicensed and not possessing the necessary permits or achieving the standards required of such establishments by the authorities.

Amovate has now had a meeting with the Camara to discuss these concerns from our members, and the Camara have informed us that they are aware of some of the problems.

However, they stressed that to ensure they have a complete picture, anyone with such issues to raise should make direct contact to the appropriate organisations in order to lodge their individual complaints.

These organisations waiting to hear from you are the Camara itself, *ASAE (Autoride de Seguranca Alimentar e Economica), the GNR, the Bomberios and the Financas.

Some have websites through which you can lodge a complaint, otherwise your issues, identifying the specific surf house and the reasons for your concern, should be sent by letter or e-mail.

The GNR assure us they will act upon notification of noise, and in extreme situations will issue a notice to the perpetrator, who could be fined.

*ASAE – Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica

Address: Av. Conde de Valbom, 98

Postal Code: 1069-185 Lisboa, Portugal

Url: www.asae.pt

Charity Gala Ball – Cancelled

It’s an ill wind…

And it really was! The mini-tornado that tore through parts of Vale da Telha and Paisagem Oceano in the hours before dawn today has forced us to call off Saturday’s Gala Ball.

As many of you will already have noticed the strong winds tore some holes in the roof of the Marquee at the Hotel Vale da Telha where we were holding this annual event, and the heavy rain accompanying the winds also flooded the interior.

There was also some damage to the entrance canopy and the hotel’s glass porch was demolished. It is not clear how long it will take before the tented structure can safely be repaired and re-opened for business…if at all.

The “twister” also caused damage to some residential properties in the area before running a path down to the lake and disappearing.

Unfortunately, it leaves us with no alternative but to cancel this year’s event and we can only apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience which will result from this decision taken at such short notice.

But we are sure you will appreciate we were left with no other options but to take this action.

Money will, naturally, be refunded by the four ticket sellers, Ian Bedford, Kate Lang, Rick Hursthouse and Dave Ogborn who of course have details of all the individuals who had bought tickets from them.

It is hoped another Ball will be held early next year when any repaired or replaced marquee will be opened…

AMOVATE ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE.

Mods Vs Rockers Music Night – Update

More than 80 people turned back the years on Sunday night at the Vale da Telha Restaurant as Brian (DJ Rockindad) Jutsum hosted another free evening of music from the 60s.
Brian’s “Mods vs Rockers” night was another roaring success with great–and extremely nostalgic–music getting the guys and gals bopping and jiving on the dance floor.
Jose provided burgers and hot dogs to refuel tired bodies and keep up the energy levels.
Here is a selection of photographs from the night. Don’t forget, a couple of clicks on the pictures and they will present themselves in a larger size.