Lagos council has approved a grant of €1,744 to Almargem to help it continue to manage and promote the Via Algarviana, a pan-Algarve walking route so admired by many off season walkers.
This financial support by Lagos council recognises that the route is "an important structure and an additional factor of attraction and promotion of the Algarve region in the nature tourism segment, and an important complement to the traditional ‘sun and sand’ appeal of the Algarve.”
The money from Lagos is but a fraction of the total needed for Almargem to do the job, but it is an important start even though it is dependent on the other 10 councils stumping up their contributions.
The eco-organisation needs at least €19,000 to run the Via Algarviana service and since the ten year EU funding ran out early this summer, the region’s mayors have spent their time thinking of ways to avoid having to fund the route.
Anabela Santos from Almargem said that the Algarve's mayors have failed to grasp the management model proposed and that the long running EU grant ran out on July 31st 2015 with the councils unwilling to provide funds to ensure the route was managed without interruption.
The route currently has no management, no repair and maintenance, no guides, no rubbish collection, no promotion and publicity but now a glimmer of hope for a future as one of the Algarve’s finest tourism nature offerings.
The mayors group AMAL was again to discuss the project in its September meeting but no news has been issued as to whether its members voted for or against funding - just €3,000 each from 11 councils is the sum suggested to maintain and promote 800 kilometres of pathways.
In an earlier AMAL meeting there was no consensus with 'priority going to other projects.'
The Rota Vicentina running down the Alentejo cpast to join the Via Algarviana is a not for profit association Vicentina - Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Sudoeste ) which has just announced the launch of a new website www.rotavincentina.com with the aim of consolidating its tourism offer.
This website, which has the support of the Algarve and Alentejo tourist boards comes with several new features including a 'trip planner' tool that advises the visitor on the various itineraries, and a central online booking function.
The Via Algarviana could be funded in a similar to the Rota Vincentina. It is interesting to note this Alentejo route has the support of the Algarve Tourist Board which is nowhere to be seen during the funding crisis for the Via Algarviana across the board’s own region.
The funding of the route is not Almargem’s job but its management and staff are willing to put effort into the maintenance and promotion of the route if there is corresponding payment to cover costs. An annual payment of €3,000 from each council that the Algarve route crosses is a small amount from each to maintain this important Algarve asset.
With hope, the other mayors involved will be deciding to make payments similar to the conditional one from Lagos council which for once leads the way in clear thinking.
UPDATE
Monchique council also has promised its share of the finding needed for the Via Algarviana. A meeting of AMAL in mid-September will show which of the remaining nine councils are prepared to fund this route.
For background, see:
