Algarve not Portugal

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:26 pm

Oh..but wait a minute..I see td is here!
I wont have to worry now..Im sure he'll put me right...by telling me..
theres no point to what Ive been saying..right td?

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:20 am

It's hard to tell wether there is a point to this - maybe not.....or maybe somebody who can do something about it will be inspired to make changes - it's a long shot, but if everyone decides just not to talk about problems they are not likely to go away, are they?

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:17 am

Well changes are happening (and quickly) as we all can see by the building sites around us. However whether these changes are for the good of the Algarve or not remains a point of contention.

However there is one thing that is an unescapable fact, the region is becoming more and more "urbanized" along the lines of global civilization. Optimistically this could be seen as economically good for the region, whereas what really happens is some of the government officials get richer and the Algarve loses more of its heritage.

I am amazed at how proud the Regional Tourism Authority is of its 6 storey computer controlled €3,5million building in Faro, when the Faro hospital's air-conditioning can't cope with the 350 cases of heat stroke. According to the Portugal News:

[quote]"One of the biggest dilemmas adding to the turmoil was the fact that, as most of the old building (the Faro hospital) is not equipped with air-conditioning, the long waits were passed in stifling conditions, adding significantly to patients' levels of discomfort."[/quote]

What I would like to know is what the Tourism Authorities plan is for the next ten years, as according to the World Tourism Council:

[quote]"THE BASELINE FORECASTS FOR THE ALGARVE’S TRAVEL & TOURISM ARE RATHER DISAPPOINTING, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE REGION’S HUGE LATENT POTENTIAL.Travel & Tourism demand is projected to grow by less than 3 per cent per annum over the next ten years – a full percentage point less than for Portugal, and 1.3 per cent less than for the European Union overall.[/quote]

If you want this report I can email it to you (it is 917kb). Lets make the Algarve a better place, but how?

I was thinking aloud with some friends the other day and we could start small with Carvoeiro. To me one of the greatest problems here in Carvoeiro is the fact that people cannot walk down the main streets due to the traffic. The traffic can't flow properly because of the pedestrians.

Surely the Camara could think about making a mall and closing off some of the streets, putting the taxi rank outside the malls and introducing traditonal donkey cart transportation with the occassional Fado singer at night in the square all dressed in traditional Algarve clothing, belting out traditional melodies from atop a donkey cart? Am I crazy?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:55 am

It might be annoying to local drivers but if the roads were cleared then surely that would encourage speeding and I would rather the traffic was held up as it is now than have some 'boy racer' kill someone crossing the road.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:14 am

Guest - I can't imagine a boy racer in one of Falcon's donkey carts!

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:24 am

err guest I was pointing out that they could make a mall, with NO cars. In other words foot pedestrians walking on their feet in shoes

donkey lover · Post by **donkey lover** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:33 am

ok falcon - point taken didn't read your original post through properly

no cars but donkey and carts sounds great to me - are you going to poll the locals?

Good luck

Kev and Shirl · Post by **Kev and Shirl** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 11:01 am

Hi All.
Just a random thought.
I think in every walk of life there is good and bad.
Corruption is a sad fact of life cut through all this and you will find the real Algarve (Carvoeiro).
My flight leaves 7.30 am tomorrow any other social intercourse can be conducted from Smilers most nights 7.00pm onwards. Mine's a G & T.
See you there.
Kev and Shirl.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:01 pm

Well said Ellie...I feel the same way.

steve · Post by **steve** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 4:09 pm

Unfortunately for holiday visitors neither the native Portuguese nor the residents who have come from other countries want to live in a time warp. When I first bought in the Algarve in the mid 80s a drive from the airport to Carvoeiro was an adventure, many of the current roads around Carvoeiro were rutted and difficult to drive over in winter, the electricity supply was intermittent and water could go off for several days at a time. There were few cars about and much less evident signs of prosperity. People washing clothes in streams and travelling on donkeys or in scooters with cabs may have made good photo opportunities for visitors but why should you expect the population here not to want the same things as people in other European countries have aspired to.

How would people in rural areas of England feel if they were criticised for not living in small cottages without mod cons and passing their time weaving and morris dancing. Just as few people in England would swap their modern lifestyle for that of their parents in the 50s, people living in the Algarve want to enjoy the benefits of things that visitors take for granted when at home.

Must stop now because I have to leave home to go to work at the Carvoeiro theme village. I have to saddle up the donkey and travel down to my evening shift on the folkloric dancing. Can’t wait to get home again to see what’s on the tele and check my e-mails.