fbpx
Log in

Login to your account

Username *
Password *
Remember Me

Create an account

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Name *
Username *
Password *
Verify password *
Email *
Verify email *
Captcha *

Property associations 'shocked' at new rules for tourist lettings

alHaving now reviewed the new Alojamento Local, short-term letting, rules issue by the government this week, owners’ associations profess to be "shocked" at the changes and their predicted impact on members.

The amendments represent an "inexplicable setback" and will have a "very negative impact" on Portuguese families who depend on income from tourists rentals.


The Association of Hospitality, Restaurant and Related Institutions of Portugal (AHRESP) and the Association of Local Accommodation in Portugal (ALEP) both say they are taken aback by the changes to the rules and that these, "will jeopardise the sustainable growth of tourism in our country and affect thousands of families and micro-enterprises."

The amendments to the current local housing rules, "is introducing changes that create more instability and will condition the development of this economic activity that today already represents about a third of the tourist overnight stays, which brings income to 33,000 families and helps create thousands of businesses and jobs."

"At a time when tourism has established itself as the engine of the economy, in which Portugal has achieved a prominent position at international level, these changes represent an inexplicable and unacceptable setback."

With the return of Turkey into the tourism market, this is the "worst time" to create restrictive practices in Portugal.

The creation of ‘containment zones’ by Councils, "allowing the Councils to suspend registrations of new AL establishments without any clear criteria or transparent rules, blatantly violates the Community Directive for services, create an environment conducive to opacity, is going in the opposite direction to new international tourism trends and against the latest recommendations from the EU on how to legislate for these new realities," according to the associations.

ALEP President, Eduardo Miranda, stresses that "it is a missed opportunity. Portugal had one of the most advanced laws and it would be enough to correct specific problems to drive this new form of tourism which could bring a huge competitive advantage to the country, but now there’s everything to lose with a law that brings only instability, promotes conflicts and undermines investor confidence. "

Miranda points out that, "Portugal was an international case study on how to legislate in an innovative way for local accommodation, from now on we will be a case study of how good legislation can be destroyed."

According to the associations, "this new legislation, by creating more obstacles and mistrust, also undermines all the effort put into legalisation in recent years.”

For property owners seeking information on Alojamento Local compliance, contact the National Association of Local Lodging Establishments at www.nalle.pt and/or ask afpop

For 'Parliament approves changes to Local Accommodation rules' click - HERE

Pin It

Comments  

+1 #11 Margaridaana 2018-07-23 14:32
Quoting Darcy:
[quote name="Isla White"] (British holidaymaker who over the years has pumped many millions of euros into the Portuguese economy through their holidays or their fines, spilt gallons of blood being beat up by the GNR
and perhaps even died or gone missing)

If British holidaymakers behaviour was the same as other nationalities behaviour, they would not have to pay fines or there would be no blood loss.

Absolutely right Mr Darcy.
-1 #10 Margaridaana 2018-07-23 14:31
Quoting Padraig:
Portugal's tourism and Algarve's in particular is so very samey. Which is a great mistake in that all the other coastlines of the Med, not least North Africa are offering identical product. At similar or lower price points. Even when trying to be innovative there is always the main point missing: like with Irish themed pubs; as though someone has heard at 3rd hand what Irish craic is all about. Everything, from the fake wood panelling and bar - plastic, any pictures poor Chinese reproductions of Irish scenes with no oldey worldy wood anywhere! Blaring in the corner the TV on a Portuguese station, no one has thought of looping ceilidgh music from Ireland to help set the scene. Attempting to give the place authentic atmosphere.
Likewise, if you want a different experience - how many Bavarian bierkellers or similar are there in Portugal?

Portugal's coastline is not in the Med.
+1 #9 ArturoR 2018-07-22 21:40
For every room rented to tourists, law should impact a proportion to be rented for local hotel/kitchen/travelling workers with decent price.
+5 #8 Mr Beachbum 2018-07-22 19:29
Speaking with many locals and business owners in my area, British tourists make up a small number compared to the 80s when daily plane loads would arrive in Faro, today, the French followed by Germans make up the top numbers with the northern Portuguese. I've also noticed the enquiry for renting of private apartments has stopped, the whole market is changing, if some don't change they will fail.
+3 #7 Darcy 2018-07-22 09:56
[quote name="Isla White"] (British holidaymaker who over the years has pumped many millions of euros into the Portuguese economy through their holidays or their fines, spilt gallons of blood being beat up by the GNR
and perhaps even died or gone missing)

If British holidaymakers behaviour was the same as other nationalities behaviour, they would not have to pay fines or there would be no blood loss.
-1 #6 Padraig 2018-07-22 08:43
Portugal's tourism and Algarve's in particular is so very samey. Which is a great mistake in that all the other coastlines of the Med, not least North Africa are offering identical product. At similar or lower price points. Even when trying to be innovative there is always the main point missing: like with Irish themed pubs; as though someone has heard at 3rd hand what Irish craic is all about. Everything, from the fake wood panelling and bar - plastic, any pictures poor Chinese reproductions of Irish scenes with no oldey worldy wood anywhere! Blaring in the corner the TV on a Portuguese station, no one has thought of looping ceilidgh music from Ireland to help set the scene. Attempting to give the place authentic atmosphere.
Likewise, if you want a different experience - how many Bavarian bierkellers or similar are there in Portugal?
-1 #5 Isla White 2018-07-21 18:38
It seems that Carlos (Charly?) has an issue with the British holidaymaker who over the years has pumped many millions of euros into the Portuguese economy through their holidays or their fines, spilt gallons of blood being beat up by the GNR and perhaps even died or gone missing. Strange as Algarve Tourism see this source of income as so fundamental to a good season with no mention of alternative sources like Bulgars or Albanians!
0 #4 Charly 2018-07-21 14:04
if I understand well Isla White then after brexit there will be no problem for the Britons: they can make Holidays in their own land. Is that correct ?
+5 #3 Isla White 2018-07-21 09:24
Ed. again hits the nail on the head. Sham consultation of interested parties but the parallel Portuguese Elite Establishment as always still calling the shots and skewing the law to protect the big hoteliers. That said Portugal's tourism legislation was only ever a "basketcase" example as it only favoured big inward investors partnering local PT mafia's. Not also encouraging SME foreigners which aligns far more accurately with EU Directives for local economic and tourism sector growth. Always remembering that Schengen had much more purpose than just frictionless travel between member states. Ironically non-Schengen Ireland and the UK have hugely valuable tourism sectors with far more variety of offering than Portugal and foreigners there are well aware that there are no racial and mafiosi led obstacles to them participating.
+5 #2 Ed 2018-07-21 00:52
Quoting Charly:
Why are these guys protesting NOW, after the law has been approved in parliament???? Where they asleep since months or dis they think this was "a joke" again ???? How stupid can one be !
They were consulted during the long parliamentary committee stage but had no control over the final recommendations with which they clearly disagree.

You must be a registered user to make comments.
Please register here to post your comments.