By: CECÍLIA PIRES
PRAIA DA Rocha’s side-walk renovation was among the big winners at the 2008 Algarve Maximus Awards, organised by the Algarve tourism authority, Turismo do Algarve (TA).
Eight awards were presented, from a total of 19 nominees, by António Pina, president of TA, on Friday at Vilamoura Casino. They aim to recognise projects and personalities that contribute the most to the region’s development or promotion.
 Marie Huber of the São Lourenço Cultural Centre was awarded the Personalities Award |
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The Praia da Rocha renovation project, which won the Environment and Patrimony category, included the construction of a 1,200 metre wooden side-walk and several wooden paths leading to small beach bars and other facilities. The jury praised the way it combined the environment, heritage and development.
The Innovation and Research award went to the Algarve University for the IMPACTUR project, which monitors and forecasts the tourism activity in the country. The system has become an important tool for professionals to draw strategies in the tourism sector.
The 26th Faro annual motorbike meeting received the Promotion and Entertainment in Tourism award. The event, held late every July, brings together 160,000 people for four days inside a temporary purpose-built city.
Monchique thermal springs and its renovation project received the Equipment and Tourism Services prize.
The Media award was given to a local documentary named Cavalos do Mar – Ria Formosa (‘Sea horses and Formosa Estuary’) from Mar de Histórias, an independent producer based in the Algarve.
The Personalities category went to Alcoutim Câmara president Francisco Amaral for his efforts to develop the most deserted council of the Algarve, and Marie Huber, who is the promoter of the São Lourenço Cultural Centre based in Almancil, for their roles in the promotion of art and culture in the region.
The jury from the Algarve Tourism authority also created a special prize, which went to the small and picturesque village of Alte. This award recognised the urban rehabilitation project of Alte, which is in the interior of Loulé council and is one of the typical tourist attractions in the golden triangle area.
The Algarve Maximus Awards were created by the TA to encourage the region’s excellence in different areas of the tourism sector.
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