São Brás de Alportel to Add 180 Rural Hotel Beds to Boost Algarve Inland Tourism
The Municipal Council of São Brás de Alportel has officially approved a new public procedure to allocate 180 new beds for tourism accommodation in its rural territories. The announcement, made following a council meeting on August 12, is a key component of the municipality's strategy to enhance and diversify its tourism offerings, with a specific focus on the inland Algarve region. The initiative is governed by the regulations of the current Municipal Master Plan (PDM) and is aimed at attracting high-quality, sustainable tourism developments.
The procedure specifically allows for the creation of new hotel establishments in designated rural zones, often referred to as 'estabelecimentos hoteleiros isolados'. The primary objective is to attract investment in new tourism projects that will contribute to the local economy while respecting the area's natural and cultural heritage. The municipality has stipulated that any new hotel must achieve a minimum quality rating of three stars and should ideally be linked to specific tourism segments such as health and wellness, nature and eco-tourism, sports, or cultural tourism.
The allocation of the 180 beds will be distributed across the two distinct landscapes within the municipality: the Serra do Caldeirão (mountain) and the Barrocal, the transitional area of foothills between the mountains and the coast. This geographic focus is intended to spread the economic benefits of tourism beyond the traditionally popular coastal areas of the Algarve and to showcase the unique potential of the region's interior. The local government believes this will lead to job creation and the overall valorization of the territory.
This initiative is a clear invitation to investors and hotel developers to consider São Brás de Alportel as a prime location for new projects. By setting clear quality standards and a focus on specific tourism niches, the municipality is aiming to cultivate a brand of sustainable and authentic tourism. The public tender for the allocation of these beds is open until September 26, providing a defined period for interested parties to prepare and submit their development proposals.
The move is seen by local officials as a strategic step to position São Brás de Alportel as a leading destination for sustainable tourism in the Algarve. It reflects a growing trend in Portugal to develop and promote the tourism potential of inland and rural areas, offering visitors a different experience from the bustling coastal resorts. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other municipalities in the region looking to balance economic development with environmental preservation.
The local government has made information regarding the public procedure available on its official website for all interested developers and investors. The project is expected to significantly increase the accommodation capacity of the municipality and reinforce its appeal as a year-round destination.
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