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Here is your weekly news overview…

Large amount of waste produced by tourists has a significant impact on the Algarve

The production of waste by tourists during peak season has a significant impact on the management of municipal solid waste in the Algarve, with an urgent need to define sustainable solutions, according to a study presented yesterday, in Vilamoura.

The study “The implications of tourist activity in the Algarve region for urban waste management”, which brought together researchers from five universities in Portugal and the United States, reveals the “urgent need to define sustainable solutions to address the environmental and economic impact, caused by the high tourist seasonality” in this region.

According to researcher Eduardo Cardadeiro, coordinator of the study, a tourist in the Algarve produces, on average, twice as much waste per day as a resident of the region, and the fact that there is “strong seasonality” causes an increased difficulty in managing solid waste.

“Tourism is fundamental to the Algarve’s economy, but it is necessary to ensure that its growth does not compromise the region’s sustainable development,” added the professor from the Autonomous University.

According to Eduardo Cardadeiro, the study will continue to be developed, having in this first phase, among other things, characterised the relationship between tourism and waste management and analyzed the production of municipal solid waste by tourism.

“If we can better understand the impact of tourism on waste production and better manage this process, we will perhaps be in a better position to achieve targets in the waste sector, to have more sustainable management, and to promote the Algarve as a destination that sustainably manages waste, promoting the circular economy,” he said.

The study concluded that in 2023 the Algarve recorded 29 million overnight stays, of which 82% occurred in the high season, which created significant pressure on the region's waste management services.

During the month of August, tourism was responsible for 41% of waste production, equivalent to 3.6 kilos per night, that is, more than double the per capita production of local residents.

Waste production in the high season also has an economic impact, since the total cost of waste management in 2023 was 81.3 million euros, with significantly higher average costs in the high season, reaching €436 per tonne for unsorted waste, compared to €147 per tonne in the low season.

The study also reveals that, currently, more than 80% of municipal waste in the Algarve is deposited in landfills, while recycling and reuse rates are below 15%, which is below the targets set by the European Union for 2035.

The document also identified the need to implement measures to meet the targets defined by the European Union, and promote a circular economy and sustainable practices for the Algarve region.

In a second phase of the study, in 2025, a pilot project will be implemented to optimize waste management, such as dedicated collection circuits, through the involvement of regional partner entities, such as Algar, responsible for the selective collection of waste at ecopoints, the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), tour operators, hotels and restaurants.

Environmental, social and sustainability performance indicators will also be developed, to monitor progress and adapt solutions to local needs.

Finally, in a third phase, the measures successfully tested in the pilot project will be extended to the entire Algarve region.

The study on the treatment of municipal solid waste in the Algarve was promoted by the Center for Research in Economic and Business Sciences (CICEE), in partnership with the University of Algarve and with the support of Algar.

Young people in the Algarve consume the most cannabis in Portugal

Data released after a study promoted by the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (ICAD), shows Algarve at the top of cannabis consumption by youngsters.

Alentejo leads the consumption of alcohol and tobacco among young people in Portugal, the Algarve stands out for the use of cannabis, the Azores for the consumption of other illicit drugs and Lisbon for problems related to the internet, reveals an official study.

The study used national data on addictive behaviours in 18 year olds who participated in National Defense Day, in 2023.

“Similar to what has been seen in previous reports, the regions of Alentejo, the Azores and the Algarve stand out for higher prevalence rates than the national total, while the North and Madeira generally record lower values” in terms of addictive behaviours, say the ICAD.

Among those surveyed, the experience of problems related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages is greater in the Azores and Alentejo and less in the North, while problems related to the consumption of illicit drugs “are clearly more significant in the Azores,” and those related to Internet use are greater in Lisbon.

According to the study, problems related to emotional distress associated with addictive behaviours are the most reported in all regions.

Regarding tobacco consumption among young people, the study concludes that, in recent years, it has shown “a clear downward trend” in all regions.

Madeira stands out for its lower consumption of alcohol and tobacco, with prevalence rates considerably lower than in other regions.

Conducted annually since 2015, with an interruption in 2020 due to the pandemic, the study also reveals that cannabis is the most consumed illicit substance in all regions.

In recent years, the Algarve has been notable for its increased consumption of illicit drugs in general and cannabis in particular, a trend that is reinforced in this study.

“Although there was a decrease in the consumption of illicit drugs in the Algarve, compared to the previous edition of the study, the decrease was less significant in the region than in the others (with the exception of the Azores)."

Analyzing the consumption of other illicit drugs (other than cannabis), “the panorama is very different”, with the Azores recording the highest prevalence, around two to three times higher than the country's total.

Madeira also stands out for having lower cannabis consumption among young people, and in relation to other illicit drugs, "the prevalence is lower and quite similar in the mainland regions".

“However, compared to 2022, the decrease in the consumption of illicit drugs as a whole was more significant in the North and Lisbon regions”, observes ICAD.

The Azores also stand out for the greatest increase in consumption over the last 12 months of amphetamines/methamphetamines, new psychoactive substances, hallucinogens, cocaine and heroin, while the Alentejo stands out in the opposite direction, recording the greatest decrease in the prevalence of consumption of all these substances, together with the Central region, only in the case of amphetamines/methamphetamines).

The consumption of sedatives without a prescription is higher in the Azores, but also in Madeira, and is less prevalent in the Algarve and Lisbon, although the discrepancy between regions is not particularly marked.

Regarding Internet use, the study indicates that the percentage of respondents who declared playing online video games is higher in Lisbon, a region where initiation is earlier, while the practice of online gambling is more prevalent in the autonomous regions.

The percentage of Internet users who spend six or more hours a day on social networks is higher in the Azores, and lower in the Center and Algarve.

Faro: new surveillance system has already led to 43 crimes being solved

The PSP have revealed that use of the video surveillance system installed in the city of Faro has already led to the clarification of a total of 43 crimes in the three months the cameras have been active.

Consisting of 41 cameras, the project was inaugurated on August 27th of this year, with the aim of “protecting and guaranteeing the safety of people, animals and property, in public places or places with public access and preventing the practice of acts classified by law as crimes, in places where there is a reasonable risk of their occurrence”.

Data on the number of crimes solved using video surveillance were published on the Facebook page of the Faro District Command, which published a thank you message received from a person regarding the effective way in which the Police had responded to a crime, of which he had been a victim (theft from inside a vehicle).

As a result, Faro City Council reveals that, “given the positive impact of the implementation of this first phase of this system, which involved a municipal investment of over €450,000”, it was decided, together with the Faro PSP Command, “to move forward, from now on, with a project to complement and expand the currently existing video surveillance system, operated by the PSP uninterruptedly 24 hours a day”.

Albufeira council to spend €1.3 million to stabilise cliffs

This week, Albufeira City Council have launched a €1.3 million tender, to stabilise cliffs and repair walls at beaches in the main tourist town area.

The “cliff stabilization and requalification of walls between Praia dos Pescadores and the Hotel Sol e Mar”, is estimated to take around 5 months, from the date the contract is awarded.

Companies interested in competing have until December 13th to submit their proposals.

Vale do Lobo beach clean up collects over 140kg of rubbish

The local community and visitors carried out a beach cleaning action last Thursday on Vale do Lobo beaches, resulting in the collection of 143.80 kilos of rubbish, as part of the celebrations of National Sea Day.

Infralobo EM and Vale do Lobo, in collaboration with the Vita Nativa Association collaborated to organise the event, highlighting the value of collaboration between public and private entities and the local community, to protect one of the most beautiful natural ecosystems in the Algarve.

The event was attended by 125 students from the Almancil School Group, aged between 14 and 16, who joined forces with residents, visitors and collaborators to clean the beaches of Garrão Nascente and Garrão Poente.

Throughout the morning, participants had the opportunity to explore the approximately three kilometre stretch of these beaches, collect waste and learn more about the importance of protecting the environment.

The Vita Nativa Association played an important role in this initiative, providing guidance, sharing educational curiosities and raising awareness of sustainable environmental conservation practices.

Vale do Lobo and Infralobo express “their deep gratitude to all those involved for the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated during this important initiative, and reaffirm their continued commitment to sustainability, environmental care and active community involvement towards a more sustainable future”.

Algarve voted Best Beach Destination in the World for the 3rd time

The Algarve was once again recognized as the Best Beach Destination in the World at the World Travel Awards, achieving this distinction for the third time.

The region was chosen as favorite in a list of 23 nominees that included several iconic beach destinations worldwide such as the Maldives, Cancún (Mexico), Seychelles, Philippines or Zanzibar, among others.

The award was presented last night, November 24th, during the World Travel Awards 2024 ceremony, which took place this year in Madeira. Considered the “Oscar of Tourism”, this initiative elects, every year, the best examples in the tourism and travel industry, in different categories, through voting by the main leaders in the sector from around the world.

The awarding of this award recognizes the beauty and uniqueness of the Algarve coast, with 200 km of beaches that have increasingly enchanted visitors from all over the world, combining scenarios as diverse as extensive golden sands, hidden coves and impressive cliffs.
In addition to the natural landscape, the Algarve also stands out for its ability to provide experiences for all tastes: from sunbathing and peaceful walks to surfing, diving and sailing. This year, the value of the region's beaches was further reinforced by several quality milestones, such as the 86 beaches awarded Blue Flag (by the European Blue Flag Association), the 69 beaches awarded Gold Quality (by Quercus – National Association of Nature Conservation), and the 13 classified as Zero Pollution beaches (by ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável). Among them, there are also 47 accessible beaches, which ensure that the region is inclusive for all visitors.

Regarding winning this award, André Gomes, president of Turismo do Algarve, says:
"Receiving this award again is an immense pride for our region and proof that the Algarve continues to consolidate its position at a global level as an unavoidable reference in beach tourism. It is also, at the same time, an added responsibility, which reinforces Our determination to continue offering unique experiences, aligned with the highest international demands and capable of captivating visitors and exceeding their expectations, is to be congratulated, this award is a reflection of a collective effort from the entire region.”

Remembering that the World Travel Awards had already distinguished the Algarve as “Best Beach Destination in the World” in 2020 and 2021, alongside the title of “Best Beach Destination in Europe” on several occasions.

Vernon Real Estate Carvoeiro celebrate their 34th Anniversary!

On November 22nd, 2024, Vernon Real Estate Carvoeiro celebrated 34 amazing years! "For three decades, we’ve had the honour and pleasure of helping our clients. Time has flown by, and it’s been an incredible journey of growth, change, and above all — adventure."

Vernon Real Estate do business with one goal in mind: to bring smiles to your face. "Your satisfaction has always been our top priority, and it’s what drives us to deliver exceptional service every day."

"Our dedicated multilingual team — Claudia, Amanda, and Emily — continue to focus on personalization, ensuring that we meet the needs with the utmost care and attention. And we’re committed to doing so for many more years to come, with the same passion and enthusiasm that has made us who we are today."

Whether we’re helping you find your dream home, business or assisting vendors in selling, Vernon Real Estate is not just about business — "we aim to make lifelong friends along the way."

The team at Vernon's say, "We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the unwavering support of our clients and partners. A heartfelt thank you for trusting us and helping us contribute to Vernon’s success over the years. Together, we’ve achieved great things!"

Here’s to 34 years, and to many more memories and milestones to come!

Follow Vernon at www.vernonalgarve.com, on social media or pop into our office for a chat. Our office is located in the centre of Carvoeiro, next to the taxi rank, on Rua Povo do Burro nº1.

From the ADN team, sincere congratulations Vernon Real Estate team! 

‍OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

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Boliqueime: one injured and one homeless after warehouse fire

‍More news next week!

Ed

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