Golden Visa trial - verdicts delayed for the third time

macedoFor the third time, the judge’s verdict in the Golden Visa corruption trial has been delayed, this time until December 21st.

The reason each time has been, “a lack of time to take a decision.”

Portugal prepares for blistering weekend weather

6199Autumn starts on Sunday with temperatures in some parts of Portugal reaching 40°C.

Summer started late this year but the coming period of blistering temperatures makes up for earlier, below average periods.

Algarve tourism chief slams new 'Tourist Tax'

beachPescadoresAlbufeiraThe recently appointed head of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) slammed the announcement that the region’s mayors have voted to introduce a ‘tourist tax.’

Joao Fernandes disagrees with the move, its timing and the chosen model, a position that he says is endorsed by the presidents of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve and the Association of Hoteliers of the Algarve.

Algarve Mayors push through regional 'Tourist Tax'

farocamaraThe self-serving greed of the Algarve’s Council mayors has found expression in today’s vote to introduce a per night tourist tax on visitors to the region, just at a time when competing destinations are regaining strength in the market.

A tourist tax of €1.50 per night will be extracted between March and October with mayors’ group AMAL estimating that this will generate revenues of €20 million per year which they claim will be spent on local projects.

The Telegraph picks 'the little town of Olhão' in preference to Lisbon

OlhaoViewSmallIs over-tourism turning Lisbon into the next Venice, asks The Telegraph

Few destinations have witnessed a boom in tourism over the last few years quite like Portugal, writes The Telegraphs digital travel editor, Oliver Smith, pointing to United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s figure of 6.8m overseas arrivals in 2010 that has grown to 18.2m in 2016, an increase of 168%.

Ryanair pilots call for O'Leary to go

ryanair2Ryanair pilots have asked company shareholders to replace the company's leadership because they believe the current model of employment and management has failed.

The call was made in a statement endorsed by Ryanair's pilots’ unions, including Portugal’s Civil Aviation Pilots' Union.

Monchique hunting ban will allow the natural increase of game

wildboarAs from Friday 21st, hunters will be banned from those areas of Monchique, Odemira, Portimão and Silves that were affected by the August fire.

The armistice aims to restore populations of game species that have been badly affected by the fire and extends to a line 250 meters outside the burnt perimeter.

VRSA Council finances still in dire straits

vrsa2Council accounts across the Algarve have shown general improvement in their finances since the recession eased off, some have turned from significant losses to surplus, with an associated increase in social spending and voter happiness.

Not so in Vila Real de Santo António, which has been obliged to launch a Budget Equilibrium Programme, "a rigorous plan that is being executed with maximum responsibility and whose mission is to proceed with the recovery of municipal accounts."