Create an amusement park in the Algarve that can operate all year round, that does not have water as its main attraction and that allows for counteracting the region's seasonality. This is an idea that is already being encouraged by entrepreneurs associated with the Franco-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFP).
In 2018, the association, which brings together French entrepreneurs, many of whom are of Portuguese descent, but also Portuguese, held its annual gala in Faro. The ceremony took place at the Hotel Eva, in the center of the Algarve capital, and served to distribute some honors but, above all, to strengthen relations between the partners.
In this field, there are two dimensions. Personal relationships – there were many moments of animation, some of which were carried out by businessmen – and commercials.
This is where the idea of creating a new theme park in the Algarve comes in. Even because, as Carlos Vinhas Pereira, president of the Franco-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, illustrated, «what the Algarve lacks is some economic activity during the winter».
“We have to be able to attract people also in the low season. We are thinking about an amusement park. It is true that there are already many in the Algarve, but they are all linked to water. What would be needed was something like Disney, with a size proportional to the Algarve», considered the head of the CCIFP, on the sidelines of the gala that took place in Faro.
«We have several associates linked to this area and we are seeing how we can bring this type of activity here. It would be linked to commerce, thinking about the visitors that the parks attract,” he added.
Carlos Vinhas Pereira and the other businessmen who came from France to spend a few days in Faro, they also had the opportunity to get to know the region. One of the crossing points was the University of Algarve, where seeds were left for future collaborations.
«We were at the University of Algarve and found a very interesting ecosystem linked to technologies. I made myself available, in conversation with the dean, to present this dynamic of the Algarve during a forum that we are going to hold in June, in Paris, in which around a thousand French and Portuguese companies will participate», assured the president of the CCIFP.
For the head of this Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Algarve has several competitive advantages, «from the start, the fact that everyone speaks English, which is not the case in France», but also the climate and beaches. "Also in terms of salary, it is more interesting for a company that is starting up".
«Companies are increasingly interested in Portugal. It is true that there has been a greater focus on Lisbon and Porto, but the Algarve has to communicate and publicize its offer in this area», considered Carlos Vinhas Pereira.
The choice of Faro the CCIFP annual gala was linked to the strong relationship between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the municipality of Faro.
«We have partners here in the Algarve and a protocol signed with the Chamber of Faro. Our relationship with the president of the Chamber [Rogério Bacalhau] has been great for many years,” explained the president of the CCIFP.
“In 2014, we were invited to go to Nice to make a presentation of the county and the region in a session addressed to the French. The idea was to publicize the tax regime for non-residents», explained Rogério Bacalhau.
"From there, we created a very good and fruitful relationship with the CCIFP, with which we have a working protocol," he added.
And there are already fruits of this close relationship. «Some of the entrepreneurs who are here today are investing in the Algarve and also in Faro», said the president of the Chamber of Faro.
The gala that took place at the Hotel EVA was attended by businesspeople from the region, some of whom are well-known, «who have affinities with those who came from France. This is a way of strengthening relationships and finding opportunities for business cooperation».
«I like to say that we were responsible for this gala also being held in Portugal, because until recently it was always held in Paris. In 2014 it also started to be held in Portugal, every two years – first in Sintra, then in Porto and now in Faro», said Rogério Bacalhau.
“Over the years, we have tried to attract investment and show the potential that Faro and the region does”, he concluded.
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