José Carlos Martins Rolo, Albufeira’s mayor, held a public consultation regarding new rules on tourist conduct within common spaces. Located in the southern Algarve, tourists are often seen parading about the city ‘half clothed’ or even ‘nude’ after a day at the beach. This severely undermines the city’s family-centric reputation. Thereby, a new set of regulations aimed at curbing inappropriate public behavior, including restrictions on wearing swimwear in non-beach areas.
The move is part of a broader effort to enhance the town’s image. Thus making it more appealing to diverse international visitors while maintaining its reputation.
A Tourist Looks Over Al Beach in Albufeira in the Algarve
According to the Algarve Tourism Record, Albufeira received 5 million tourists, with 4.4 million of them being from the United Kingdom. Out of those who traveled to Albufeira, 1.13 million were German, and 967,000 were Irish.
Rolo believes that he would like to “alleviate the heavy perception of Albufeira being just another beach resort flooded with tourists” and also “increase market diversity beyond the British tourists,” He accepts the need for the town to market itself more as an “internationally recognized responsible tourism city.”
The public now has 30 days to express what they think about Albufeira’s proposed committee. These guidelines will be executed before the high summer season. Albufeira requires swimsuits but not t-shirts, shorts, or trousers on most public beaches, regardless of the person’s nationality.
The New Code of Conduct
Albufeira has launched a new Code of Conduct to maintain the homely nature of the resort town, which is well-known to tourists. It specifically bans tourists from wearing swimwear in public places. The local authorities’ objective is to abolish what they reflexively designate as over-the-utmost behavior”. It will strive to safeguard the multicultural as well as secure nature of the town.
New Regulations Swimwear Ban
The regulations ban partial nudity in public places like streets, parks, and public transport. This includes bikinis, trikinis, swimsuits, swim trunks, and other such garments.
Immediate Action Is a Must
There is a desperate need to take immediate action, as stated by The mayor of Allbufeira, José Carlos Rolo, “It is urgent to establish measures that effectively address the adoption of abusive behaviors, particularly by those who seek the municipality of Albufeira as a tourist destination.”
Penalties for Drinking On the Streets and Other Indecent Acts
The new code’s swimwear restrictions expand by attempting to ban the drinking of alcohol on public streets and squares. A vice that has taken root in Albufeira. A minimum of €300 will be penalized for drinking while walking or “street drinking.” Banned activities include public defecation, total nakedness in public, and leaving shopping carts away from the supermarket.
Other more serious public offenses, such as nuisances like loud shouting in a quiet neighborhood, are punishable. Moreover, the few more restricted behaviors include sexual intercourse, public sleeping, public cooking, and even public or “open” camping.
Other European Destinations with Similar Policies
Albufeira is not the only city that has tried to seek some form of order among its tourists. Tourists are encouraged not to ignore oversized public areas in Málaga, Spain, among other destinations in Europe. Also, they are advised to restrain their noise levels and even the clothes they wear in public.