Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has no doubts: «we have to push for the Algarve» and «fast». The President of the Republic was this Monday, 6th of July, at a dinner with the mayors of the region, in Monte Gordo, in an initiative that came from the Head of State. It's just that, with the thought tourism, Marcelo argued that «there is no reason for the Algarve to be harmed due to Covid-19. None".
Times may be different, but there are things that don't change. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived, headed to the restaurant, but, along the way, he had to stop for the so famous selfies (mask taken, of course).
Above all, this dinner served to hear the mayors of the Algarve Councils (Rosa Palma, from Silves, was not due to the fire in São Marcos da Serra), as well as the Tourism Region and hotel associations, at a time when the Algarve still sees how it will survive an atypical summer.
«We have to push through the Algarve fast to start producing effects this year. They [the mayors] have ideas, even because they spoke with the Secretary of State for Tourism, but I want to hear them all. Of course, everything is important and we have to look forward and fight, first, for tourism that comes from other origins», said, on arrival, the President of the Republic, referring to the recent UK decision.
For Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Algarve «deserves» to be chosen as a holiday destination, as it has «a public health condition that is of quality, even in comparison with other regions and countries».
Now, he defended, «this must be made clear», both «in the spirit of the Portuguese», for whom there must be «a campaign» of promotion, as in that of «foreigners».
As for those who come from outside Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confessed that "we have to recover them over time."
It is certain that the decision of the United Kingdom to exclude Portugal from the list of safe destinations to travel was a heavy blow for the Algarve. Asked whether it is still possible to reverse the decision, the President of the Republic stressed that the United Kingdom "said that in July it will consider".
“After July, there is August, then September, then October and they know that one of the characteristics of the Portuguese climate in general, and the Algarve in particular, is that it is very welcoming until very late,” he said. In other words: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa hopes that this summer will be linked to «a good autumn» that can attract tourists.
António Pina, president of AMAL – Algarve Intermunicipal Community, explained to the journalists the great desires of the mayors, with the «strengthening of the intensity of the diplomatic capacity» the head.
Taking the example of Ireland, which will also announce a list of safe countries to travel, the AMAL leader said that "we need to be considered a safe country, because that will force the position of the United Kingdom".
The Czech Republic has also already placed Portugal on an identical list – recommending the trip -, which means that, in António Pina's opinion, it makes “all sense for us to be considered a safe destination”.
The Algarve's mayors also defend an increase “in the funds, because we need to do more to promote our destiny”.
“We have to try to make up for what we are going to lose, invest more in our communication and promotion, in places like the Iberian Peninsula, Germany, France or Belgium”, he said. Moreover, this idea has been accepted "by the Secretary of State for Tourism and the President of Turismo de Portugal".
«I know that, very soon, there are already some family trips, road trips with bloggers, influencers and the Tourism Region has already prepared some initiatives”, he exemplified.
And there will be bigger an influencer than Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa? This year, in addition to the holidays, "scheduled for the second half of August", the President of the Republic will do even more to promote the region.
"I'll come here at least once a week, every week, running around the Algarve," he guaranteed. President's Word.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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