The chaos that was Vilamoura is to be a thing of the past as the council and local associations have worked out a plan to make tourists safe and welcome - and most importantly there is a new plan to sort out the traffic.
Loulé council, Inframoura, Loulé Concelho Global, Vilamoura World, Associação de Empresários de Quarteira e Vilamoura, Associação Vilamoura Visitors, Residents & Conventions Bureau and the GNR have been having fruitful meetings to establish what can be done to make the holiday experience a more pleasant one.
"Chaotic traffic, wild parking, garbage strewn across the pavements and vandalised street furniture are some of the negative consequences of tourism and Vilamoura is no exception," admits the group, "but this year the Council of Loulé and a number of entities have anticipated this and between July 1st and September 1st will be carrying out seasonal actions to improve accessibility, circulation, parking and security."
According to the council, "in terms of circulation, from July 11 to September 11, a new hourly bus service will be operating between the beach and the marina between 07:45 and 00:30.
This route is connected to the Quarteira green line and the aim is to create alternatives to car use.
To minimize parking problems, there are two new free car parks, near Falésia beach and near Vilamoura marina. There will also be an improvement in routes for pedestrians and cyclists. To promote walking and cycling, a shared route will be created along Avenida Praia da Falésia.
Strengthening security, another key component for tourism, has been addressed by the council with enhanced lighting.
The council says that these measures are of particular importance in a year in which a substantial increase in the number of tourists is expected as most of the hotels now are booked up.
"This will certainly be a 'golden year' for Algarve tourism, not only because the region offers excellent conditions for tourists and residents but mainly because it is a safe destination. With these actions we want to improve the stay of our visitors, providing them an unforgettable holiday and giving them reasons to come back," reports the council.
The centre of Vilamoura suffered 600,000 vehicles between July 15th and August 31st last year and the extensive Vilamoura World developments planned for the city will further increase the pressure on local infrastructure and transport services.
