«Killing Local Accommodation is not the solution», defend owners in Faro

Owners also argue that «the country is not homogeneous» and that the measures cannot be generalized

Photo: Mariana Carriço | Sul Informação

«Killing Local Accommodation is not the solution». This is what dozens of Local Accommodation (AL) owners from the Algarve and Alentejo defend, who gathered this Thursday morning, March 30, at Largo da Sé, in Faro, to protest against the Government measures presented in the “More Housing” program.

The mobilization, which takes place at national level, aims to "raise the population's awareness of these measures" which, according to the owners, "will lead to the destruction, not only of the local accommodation sector, but of all sectors connected to them", told the Sul Informação Luís Rodrigues, holder of an AL in Quarteira.

In the opinion of the owner, who spoke today in Faro, «these measures, by destroying an alternative in a region like the Algarve, where AL represents around 55% of the region's bed supply, will bring about very significant consequences in terms of tourism and the local economy».

Ema Madeira, owner of two AL in Alentejo, also states that «it is necessary to review the measures for the housing solution», but defends that «this should not pass through local accommodation».

«They will put an end to this sector and will send more than 60 people out of work», he says.

 

Photo: Mariana Carriço | Sul Informação

 

Still regarding the measures, Luís Rodrigues points out that «the country is not homogeneous» and, therefore, the decisions cannot be generalized.

«Lisbon and Porto have different problems from the Algarve and Alentejo. It should not be a Central Government that legislates and decides, by decree, on a sector that must be managed by the municipalities, who are the ones who know the land and the housing need», he stresses.

Ema Madeira is of the same opinion and states that it is also Local Accommodation that contributes to combating seasonality in several municipalities in the Algarve.

«In the Armação de Pêra area, for example, a few years ago, everything was completely deserted from November to March. Now, there are open restaurants, cafes and shops that are busy thanks to AL, given that hotels are closed in the low season».

As More Housing Program measures were presented in February and are being discussed today at the Council of Ministers, which is taking place in Setúbal.

 

Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação

 

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