The president of the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL) said today that the management model of the Via Algarviana walking route will be discussed "at a meeting in September" and is sure the problem will be solved.
"Right now, what I want is that the mayors to open negotiations and talks on a management model" that they all agree on, according to AMAL’s president, Jorge Botelho.
These negotiations have been going on for months and the mayors have not yet managed to agreed on anything except to deny funding to this important tourist asset.
The risk of the Via Algarviana simply being abandoned has been highlighted on Algarve news services and hit the national headlines in an article in the Público newspaper last week.
The walking route has been managed since 2006 by Almargem with money from Europe and from the various councils through which the route winds.
The €1.2 million funding ran out at the end of July with nothing in place to ensure the popular trail remained open, maintained and promoted.
The Via Algarviana route crosses 11 municipalities in the Algarve, linking Alcoutim to Cape St. Vincent.
The current need is for each council to pay €1,700 as an interim measure until a future management model can be agreed on.
The Via Algarviana project coordinator, Anabela Santos, said that "there has to be someone who is responsible," as Almargem are receiving enquiries every day from people seeking information and guides but with zero funding the route as a tourist resource is at an end.
Asked if he is optimistic about the resolution of the question, Jorge Botelho answered that it is not a matter of optimism and that he is sure the situation can be resolved.
Botelho admits that he has not managed to resolve it in past AMAL meetings and the topic mysteriously was dropped from the agenda at the crucial one just before funding ran out.
Even the president of the Algarve’s trade association (ACRAL), Victor Guerrero, said the Via Algarviana is an "important instrument to affirm the Algarve as a nature destination, especially in low season, and functions as an additional means of combating seasonality."
Of those using the route, 90% are foreign, mostly German, Dutch, Belgian and French.
