How the Algarve is making a difference in the Summer of 2020
As you already know, the passion SandyBlue has for the beautiful Algarve has no limits. The entire world has faced immense uncertainty over the past few months, but it has also shone a light on how communities can come together. The Algarve, in particular, has been a shining beacon throughout the pandemic.
We’re extremely proud of our entire team, working around the clock to provide the same SandyBlue service and making sure tourists and property owners are getting the answers they need. However, we wanted to take a moment to show our admiration of the entire Algarve community. From unsung heroes, to local businesses striving to make things safe, here’s just a few highlights that have made the Algarve an even warmer place to be.
A round of applause for the heroic medical staff
Doctors, nurses and hospital support staff really deserve all of our respect. As the world went into lockdown, these people showed bravery in the face of adversity. Many of them have had to separate from their families indefinitely while they help in the fight against Covid-19.
The Algarve’s response to the pandemic was swift, as plenty of focus was put into preparing hospitals and rallying the staff early on. This hasn’t slowed down, despite the ease of lockdown protocols. At the end of June, the regional health authority ARS Algarve confirmed they were looking to hire 40+ new nurses to bolster hospital staff in the summer months. There was also an initiative to welcome doctors and nurses from other areas of Portugal, to temporarily work the busy summer months in the Algarve.
These efforts do not go unnoticed and shows just how important the welfare of locals and tourists is to health officials.
‘Too Good to Go’
We’re a big fan of this initiative! To combat food waste, ‘Too Good to Go’ has arrived in the Algarve and will be a huge support. The platform allows businesses in the food industry to sell food that would otherwise be thrown out at the end of the day.
It allows bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants to create food boxes which they can then sell to those interested in buying. Customers are able to place an order and then pick up their food box...it’s a simple concept, but will make a huge difference. The hospitality industry has an opportunity to build their businesses back up and it’s great to see the support this gives them.
In fact, the whole of Portugal is making an effort to combat food waste, while also supporting those who may not be as fortunate as others. Supermarket chain Intermarche donated 58 tonnes of produce to food banks, which will help families who have encountered hardships throughout the pandemic.
The great tourism rescue of 2020
As travel concerns continue to dominate, it hasn’t stopped the Algarve community coming together to welcome tourists back to the region. We want the world to know that Portugal is well and truly open...and we’re not the only ones.
The regional tourism board has launched a huge campaign called ‘The Algarve Looks Good on You’, to show national and international tourists that the Algarve truly is the place to be this summer. In fact, this campaign is one of the largest social media advertising campaigns the RTA has ever invested in. It does show just how much the community want to welcome people back...we miss you! You can check out the great campaign on Instagram!
Property owners have also been working hard to adhere to strict guidelines, to ensure their properties are ‘Clean & Safe’. SandyBlue have been making sure the entire team is trained on the latest government protocols and have been investing in more in-villa services for tourists who want to spend more time at their villas. With beauty appointments, massages, shopping delivery and on-site chefs available, we can take all of the potential worries away from you. We do encourage people to still explore what the area has to offer – many of our friends, who are fellow business owners, have worked hard to make their bars and restaurants safe. All in all, we’re ready to give guests the best experience that they deserve.
Thinking about a visit to the Algarve?
During these unprecedented times, we are dealing with all enquiries around the clock. If you have an enquiry about a booking or availability, we’d be happy to help!
