Interview with António Pina

President of the Algarve Tourist Board

© Hegel Goutier

The President of the Algarve Tourist Board (RTA) is elected by the mayors of the region’s 16 municipalities and government representatives, including representatives of the ministries of health and economy. Also represented are the hotel and catering industries, travel agencies, transport operators, trade unions and the University of the Algarve. António Pina was elected one month before his interview with The Courier.

António Pina explains that today’s tourist industry is only one small part of the globalisation process to which the Algarve has grown accustomed of many years. It was back in the 15th century that ships set sail from here to discover Africa, India, Japan and China.

Today, the Algarve seems to have a lot of cards stacked in its favour and is an ideal location for tourism development. At present 80% of the Algarve’s economy relies directly or indirectly on the tourist industry. And while this sector is important for the whole of Portugal, it is the Algarve that is the top tourist destination, well ahead of Madeira and the Lisbon region.

The idea for the Algarve is not to be the biggest in volume, but the best in quality.

Quality is at the front of the minds of investors and those buying second homes in the region,and it is particularly appealing for the over-55s from northern and central Europe. Indeed, for the local economy, the Algarve without tourism would be inconceivable, according to Mr Pina.

A one-sector economy is a risk that obviously has to be avoided. “We are aware of this problem, hence our drive to promote industries, particularly innovative, ecologically-sound industries, such as solar energy. To this end, priority is being given to businesses eager to establish themselves in outlying areas where the economic situation is more difficult. These areas are the home to most of the craft-based industries, wine-making and other key elements of the economy.

We feel that it is important to maintain this balance for the future of the overall economy in the Algarve, stresses Mr Pina.

Hegel Goutier

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