New rules are up for public consultation until June 10
Authorities are organising a meeting with boat tour companies and operators to clarify any doubts surrounding the new navigation rules for Benagil’s famous sea cave.
The meeting will take place this Tuesday (May 21) at 8pm at the Carlos do Carmo auditorium in Lagoa and has been called by the Algarve tourism board (RTA), Lagoa municipal council and the Portuguese association of congress, tourist entertainment and event companies (APECATE).
Portimão port captain, Eduardo Luís Pousadas Godinho, will attend the meeting, allowing the “sector to discuss and clarify the new rules defined” in the public notice, which is up for public consultation until June 10.
The meeting is open to all maritime-tourism companies that are registered with the National Registry of Tourist Entertainment Agents (RNAAT) and have booked their spot in advance.
The new navigation rules aim to address the overcrowding of the sea cave, which has become one of the western Algarve’s most popular natural attractions in recent years, attracting scores of holidaymakers.
Among the new rules are limitations to the use of the beach inside the sea cave and the number of boats allowed inside the cave simultaneously.
Anyone with an opinion about the new rules has until June 10 to voice their concerns. After the public consultation period ends, the suggestions will be analysed with authorities deciding whether the project requires any adjustments.
“This initiative represents a significant step in the promotion of a safer and more sustainable navigation in that area through constructive and informative dialogue procedures,” the organisers of tomorrow’s meeting say.
