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Algarve Tourism: New tourism rules positive

Date: 5/8/2008

THE Algarve tourism sector is said to be happy with the changes in the rules for the legalization of villas and apartments to be used in the tourism industry in Portugal, which were introduced when the new law came into effect earlier this year. 

According to the new law, the owners of those villas and apartments, as well as hotels and tourist resorts have now two years to adapt their properties to comply with the new rules, which the majority of those involved in the sector consider could be positive for the development of Algarve’s tourism business.

This was one of the key findings of the first edition of the Barometer of the Tourist Activity,  the new instrument of analysis to assess the tourism sector, launched for the regional tourism board of the Algarve (RTA).

The performance of the tourism sector at regional level between January and April of this year, compared with the same period last year, the prospects for Summer 2008 and the evolution of the main markets for the Algarve were among other points analysed by a panel of 116 experts from the main tourism companies operating in the Algarve.

One of the major changes introduced by the new tourism law is the classification of ‘Local Accommodation’ which allows town councils the power to grant permits to owners of apartments and villas to use them as tourist lodgings.

The owners of these properties have to apply to the local authority to obtain a licence for letting temporary accommodation services in return for a specific payment.

In order to obtain this licence, owners must register their properties at the town council’s Administrative Division of Private Building Work, presenting the property’s building certificate and a document of compliance signed by a qualified engineer stating that the electrical, gas fittings and water heaters comform to the specified legal requirements.

A plan of the building showing the units to be used for accommodation should also be submitted. Source: Euroweeklynews.com

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