According to the local council, “This is another important step towards the entry into force of a regulatory framework that is more in line with the current reality, which will be followed by discussion and voting in the Municipal Assembly and subsequent publication in the Official Gazette.

For the Mayor of the Municipality, “this is another important step to combat a negative image of tourism in the municipality, and to promote harmony between this sector and the resident population”. José Carlos Rolo recalls that “the Code of Conduct has as its main objective the prevention of abusive behaviour”, and ensures that “there will be the capacity to monitor compliance with the rules, by entities such as the Municipal Police and other police authorities”.

The decision by the Albufeira City Council is the culmination of a process that began almost a year ago, when the administrative procedure that would lead to the drafting of the Code of Conduct was launched.

During the period of drafting the document, entities such as the Albufeira Promotion Agency (APAL), the Algarve Hotels and Tourist Enterprises Association (AHETA), the Albufeira Commercial Association (ACALB), and the Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant and Similar Association (AHRESP) were involved.

After approval of the Draft Code at a Chamber meeting at the end of 2024, the public consultation process began, open to all people and entities interested in contributing. During the period between February 13 and March 26, 2025, close to fifty contributions reached municipal services – with the majority (69%) expressing their agreement with the implementation of the Code. The version approved by the municipal executive includes small changes to the wording of some of the Project's rules, resulting from suggestions submitted within the scope of the public consultation process.

For José Carlos Rolo, “it was important to feel that people wanted to contribute to this process”. The mayor guarantees that “an effort was made to integrate the suggestions that came to us” and that “the initial objective of creating a framework that contributes to improving the image of the municipality was achieved”.

The Code of Conduct of the Municipality of Albufeira will now be discussed and voted on at the Municipal Assembly. If approved, the document will then have to be published in the Official Gazette.