A debate on the hot topic of motorcaravanning drew over 200 people to Castro Marim, including residents, motorcaravanners and buisness owners last Saturday.
"We want a debate involving everyone where we can discuss constructively motorcaravanning as an important economic activity for the county. The issues include the lack of parks and we need to find a model for managing this type of tourism," said Francisco Amaral, president of the Council.
"It is useful to hear your views on motorcaravanning in the area, so that with common sense and balance we can decide how best to promote an activity that is rapidly developing in the Algarve and that concerns us locally," added the mayor, addressing the participants in the third in a series of debates about the future of the Castro Marim area.
There followed a presentation of a strategic study for motorcaravans in the region that outlined the profile of the typical motorcaravan owner.
Some of the aspects outlined in the study are the inadequacy of parking spaces, security problems, motorcaravanning as part of tourism development in the region and its positive effect on the seasonality.
Another issue addressed in this CCDR/Algarve report was the creation of support structures for motorcaravanners and the importance of the 2008 legislation that already has enabled the construction of 12 dedicated motorcaravan parking areas in the Castro Marim area.
Overall it was seen as a positive move to create a regional network of caravan parks with infrastructure for the supply of water and sewage discharge, “This may combat wild camping which in no way contributes to a healthy coexistence between the community and the motorcaravanners.”
