“We are trying by all means, on the one hand, to guarantee operations and on the other hand, to save water, with the implementation of various measures without compromising the quality of services”, said the president of the Associação dos Hotéis e Empreendimentos Turísticos do Algarve (AHETA).

According to Hélder Martins, the drought situation “is a major concern” for Algarve hoteliers, which has motivated “the reduction in irrigation of golf courses and green spaces, places with high water consumption, as well as measures in pool management”.

In addition to reducing consumption, they are also carrying out awareness-raising campaigns, alerting customers to the importance of saving water in baths and reusing towels.

“Raising awareness involves turning off the tap, not needing a clean towel every time you take a shower, or wash your hands, measures that represent significant savings, not only in energy, but also in water”.

The president of AHETA said that most tourist units “have already placed reducers in the taps, equipment that works through an air system and that gives more pressure to the water, reducing its flow”.

“Basically, we are doing everything possible so that, without compromising the quality of the destination, the minimum amount of water is used”, he underlined.

Hélder Martins added that water management in hotels in the Algarve began to be carried out even before the July 22 meeting of the Permanent Commission for the Prevention, Monitoring and Follow-up of the Effects of Drought (CPPMAES).

“The reduction of water consumption in tourism had been agreed between the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and a group of entrepreneurs in the sector”, he highlighted.