Code of conduct features contributions from businesses, police forces and local associations
Almost a year after it was announced, Albufeira’s municipal council has officially approved a new Code of Conduct aimed at tackling unruly tourist behaviour and protecting the town’s image as one of the Algarve’s leading holiday destinations.
The document was unanimously approved in a council meeting on Tuesday morning (May 20) and is described by local mayor José Carlos Rolo as an “important step towards fighting the negative image of tourism in the borough and promoting harmony between residents and tourists”.
Said Rolo, the main goal of the new code of conduct is to “prevent abusive behaviour,” adding that municipal police and other police forces will be tasked with ensuring rules are followed.
Before reaching this stage, the proposed document underwent a public consultation period between February 13 and March 26. Around 50 submissions were received, with 69% backing the initiative. Feedback was received from police forces, local businesses, political parties and parish councils, as well as associations such as APAL, AHETA, ACALB and AHRESP, representing sectors such as tourism, hospitality and local commerce.
“It was important to feel that people wanted to contribute to this process,” the mayor said, adding that efforts were made to include suggestions and contributions in the final draft of the code of conduct.
The document now heads to the municipal assembly for further debate. If approved there, it will be published in the official government journal (Diário da República) and come into force.
Though the exact rules haven’t been detailed publicly yet, the new guiding document is expected to feature many of the measures announced by the council last summer, such as banning the use of bikinis and swimwear on public streets and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public streets and squares.
