At a time when the demand for this type of tourism has been registering a significant increase, this Action Programme foresees, until the end of 2021, the creation of a smart national network of service areas for motorhomes - Life Campers -, with more and better information made available to tourists and a strengthening of the inspection and sanctioning of illegal practices.
The project is starting in Alentejo and Ribatejo, in 27 municipalities that submitted 41 applications for financial support under the Valorizar Program, for the creation or requalification of ASA in their respective territories with ERT Alentejo, which submitted an anchor application for the development of actions to publicize, raise awareness, animate, train, manage and coordinate the initiative in the region.
These 28 initial applications represent a global investment of 3 million euros and an approved financial support of 2 million euros. The objective is to extend the project to the whole country, with the opening of new lines of support for the Valorizar Program and in conjunction with the various Regional Tourism Entities.
In these service areas, that operate 24 hours a day, motorhomes find spaces for parking and overnight stays for motorhomes, which ensure the supply of electricity, as well as water supply and solid waste disposal.
In addition to the entire national territory covering, the management of these spaces will be networked, through the connection to a common electronic platform that allows their georeferencing, updated information on the services available in each ASA, monitoring of occupancy and online reservations.
At the same time, awareness-raising actions targeted to motorhome drivers are foreseen in order to share best practices of motor caravanning, and also, a reinforcement of the inspection and sanctioning of illegal situations, with collaboration protocols being established with the GNR, PSP, National Maritime Authority and Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).
This is good news (if it will "work"?!), because I ordered a motorcaravan for 10 nights & asked the Portuguese Ministry of Tourism to connect me with a website for campsites that accept & have the facilities for serving motorcaravans. The response was abysmal! "3rd world attitude". How can France, Spain & Morocco way back in 1973 have catered for this type of holiday, & Portugal responds with b*******!
By Melvyn McManus from Other on 26 Jul 2020, 07:49
How do i apply to open one ?
Is it possible to have a lisence for a caravan park ?
By Jaco from Lisbon on 27 Jul 2020, 16:56
We love Portugal in our MH. This year we where flooded out of an unofficial Aire Camperstop Messines. We then used an official Aire in Tavira that was excellent.
With some exploring we where appalled at some official aires recognised by the Government the above photo shows you exactly why, not enough space between vans and if that photo is Manta Rota which is official the electric hook ups are a fire waiting to happen as well.
The government wants our trade but they need to sort out what is really safe and shut down dangerous Aires like Camperstop Messines, which has flooded numerous times since opening, and look at the safety issues at the Manta Rota aire.
By PennyEvans from UK on 29 Jul 2020, 08:04
A really good idea to get away in our Motorhome and know where there is a welcome for our tourism and our €€ ????
By David James from UK on 29 Jul 2020, 08:16
This is excellent news. Please start to publish these as soon as some are ready? Is there a web page where I can find what is currently (officially) available, please?
Steve. ????????????
By Stephen Harding from Other on 30 Jul 2020, 06:14