Challenge

The Algarve, Portugal’s main tourist destination, faces a number of significant challenges. It is characterised by high seasonality, making it essential to understand visitor flow patterns in order to manage them more effectively and support evidence-based decision-making. Faro Beach is located within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a barrier island featuring long beaches, dunes, and areas of high ecological value. Intense tourist pressure and seasonal overcrowding can negatively impact this environment, highlighting the need to implement appropriate management measures.

Pilot action 

The pilot project will take place in Praia de Faro. It includes tourism flow management systems (TMS), that encompass a variety of strategies and technologies aimed at influencing tourists’ behaviour and shaping their travel patterns. By studying and monitoring the number of visitors accessing the coastal area, it will be possible to calculate the tourist carrying capacity of the pilot area, and study mobility alternatives to improve the tourist experience. Furthermore, it will posible to inform visitors on access conditions prior to their arrival, raise awareness visitation conditions in sensitive natural areas and improve knowledge on what these areas offer in terms of services. This is expected to reduce greenhouse gases, noise and disturbance to the dune area and birdlife.