The importance of nature tourism for the Algarve may already be «consensual», but debating the topic of sustainability and explaining it is never enough. This is what the “Algarve + Sustentável” will do, which takes place from the 18th to the 22nd of October, in the village of Aljezur.
The event, which emerged from the junction of the Nature Tourism Biennial, organized by Vicentina, and the Algarve Nature Fest, from the Algarve Tourism Region, is back and starts with activities for the youngest, on the 18th.
Then there are three days more aimed at professionals and a last one for the general public.
One of the novelties this year «is the installation of two tents, next to the Aljezur Municipal Market», explained Aura Fraga, president of Vicentina – Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Sudoeste, to the Sul Informação.
One of them will have an exhibition space and the other will host the different workshops that make up the event.
The conscious use of natural resources, the creation of environmentally responsible tourist services, the implementation of green technologies in hotels and other companies in the sector, the treatment of waste, the ecological production of goods and the (re)use of goods and energy are some of the topics that will be addressed in the workshops.
There will also be a workshop dedicated to funding opportunities in the Algarve 2030 program, with Aquiles Marreiros, from the Algarve Coordination and Regional Development Commission (CCDR).
The traditional debate takes place on the 21st, between 9:30 am and 18:00 pm, in the exhibition space tent. The axes “Promoting Portugal as a sustainable destination” and “Monitoring sustainability metrics in the sector”, from the Tourism + Sustainable Plan of Turismo de Portugal, will be the motto.
For the last day, Saturday, 22, activities are reserved for the general public.
At 9:00 am, there is a maintenance walk, on the Rota Vicentina, between Aljezur and Arrifana. The departure will be next to the Municipal Market of Aljezur.
The 12 kilometer walk aims to review the condition of the trail, signage and marks.
Also in the morning, there will be an outing for bird watching, with a meeting place at 9:30 am, also next to the Market.
From 15:00 pm to 16:30 pm, nest boxes are built, in partnership with Associação Vita Nativa, followed by a surf lesson, with sustainable materials, at 15:00 pm.
For Aura Fraga, the importance of nature tourism «is already recognized» in the Algarve and the challenge now is «its development, maintaining sustainability and differentiating characteristics».
«Having achieved the challenge of affirming the natural heritage as the great asset for the development of environmentally qualified territories, the new challenge is to continue to structure a differentiated and quality tourist offer that guarantees tourism of a sustainable nature», he considered.
José Gonçalves, mayor of Aljezur, says that, more than affirming the Algarve «as one of the best preserved areas in Europe, it is mandatory to rethink, articulate, make responsible and find the necessary means and actions for the sustainability of these regions. Aljezur will once again be the center of this affirmation, but also of this challenge, of acting to guarantee today and tomorrow».
«The path to the sustainability of tourist destinations is, increasingly, an imperative that everyone calls and events such as “Algarve + Sustainable” are fundamental in changing the mindset two different stakeholders, particularly among the new generations, who are more aware of the impacts of their actions and the opportunities for improvement», concludes, in turn, João Fernandes, president of the Algarve Tourism Region.
Registration for the events on Saturday, the 22nd, can be done here
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