A thousand tourist beds that could be a «weapon against desertification» of the Lower Guadiana are on the competition

There are interested in investing and the perspective of Francisco Amaral, mayor of Castro Marim, is that the thousand tourist beds of the Tourist Development Center (NDT) in the Lower Guadiana Territorial Unit, whose tender has already been launched, can be «a weapon against the desertification of the Barrocal and the Sierra».

This Thursday, the Castromarinense municipality announced that the public tender for promoters interested in investing in tourist accommodation in the interior of the Lower Guadiana is already taking place, through the platform SaphetyGov, and the proposals may "include various types of accommodation, services and sports, cultural and leisure facilities".

“Environmental valuation and sustainability is the most valued evaluation criterion in the proposals (40%), the rest being linked to urban qualification (30%) and economic and social development (30%). Projects must integrate the natural and ecological values ​​of the Lower Guadiana territory, investing in the opportunities that arise from the location of the investment, while ensuring respect for local fauna and flora, water, atmosphere, soil, energy, landscape or cultural heritage», he describes the Chamber of Castro Marim.

Francisco Amaral, in statements to the Sul Informação, welcomed the "good news" of the launch of the public tender and said he hoped that the process of choosing promoters "does not take long, maybe three or four months."

“There are several investors who have shown their interest. Now, let's wait for them to compete, to see who offers the best conditions», he said.

The mayor of Castro Marim wants “differentiating enterprises to be created. As is well known, the entire interior is desertified and impoverished. The idea – not least because we are talking about territories 10 or 15 kilometers from the coast – is to invest in this area to give life and rejuvenate it”.

“This is a type of large investment that generates wealth and quality employment. That's what you want», he reinforced.

The location of future projects will only be known after the tender, but Francisco Amaral reveals that, «around Azinhal, for example, there is interest, as well as in the area of ​​the Odeleite dam. We have two bathing areas there where investment can be made».

The entire procedure takes place "in accordance with the conditions and specifications provided for in the Regional Land Use Plan of the Algarve (PROT Algarve) and in the Regulation of the Municipal Master Plan (PDM) of Castro Marim", stresses the Chamber of Castro Marim.