Elidérico Viegas, founder and historic president of AHETA (Algarve Hotels and Tourist Enterprises Association), died this Thursday, November 7, at the age of 74.
The information was provided by AHETA, which, in a statement, regrets the death of the association's founder.
In statements to the Sul Informação, Hélder Martins, current president of AHETA, deeply regretted the death of Elidérico Viegas, the man he succeeded.
"It is an irreparable loss. He was someone who gave everything for Algarve tourism, who created AHETA and gave it the projection it has today," he said.
In a statement published on social media, AHETA also expressed its “deep regret” over the founder’s death.
“His legacy and dedication to our association and community are immeasurable and will be remembered with affection and gratitude by all of us,” it reads.
The funeral will be held this Friday, November 8th, starting at 10:00 am, at the Church of São Luís, in Faro.
The end of Elidérico Viegas’ “consulate” at AHETA was marked by controversy.
In 2021, the businessman resigned, after being called by the other members of the AHETA board to explain some statements made to the Journal i, in which he questioned the veracity of the awarding of tourism awards, such as the “Main Beach Tourism in Europe” that the Algarve has already received.
Elidérico Viegas was born in the deep Barrocal, in Paderne, municipality of Albufeira.
He attended secondary education at the Industrial and Commercial School of Faro, (EICF), currently Tomás Cabreira, having completed the General Commerce Course and attended the Preparatory Section. He began his career in tourism at a very young age, after attending a tourism course at the Algarve Hotel School, at a time when there were still no hotels in the region.
He held positions as receptionist, head of reception, deputy director and hotel director. He had a degree in Hotel Management and had completed several management and marketing courses in the tourism sector.
At the age of 25, he began his career in the tourism industry and other sectors of activity, which is why, from a very young age, he was invited to take on roles as a leader in associations, both in regional and national structures. He was closely involved in the affirmation and consolidation of tourism in Praia da Oura for over 30 years.
He was the founder and director of several business associations in the Algarve and in the country.
In November last year, Elidérico Viegas launched his memoir “Guinea 1971-1972-1973: The war that history wants to forget”, published by Arandis, in an event that took place at the Municipal Library of Faro.
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