Lagos is looking to become “one of the most sustainable and inclusive” tourist destinations in Portugal following the approval of the town’s new motorhoming study.
The study features a series of guidelines for the development of the sector in the borough, announced the local council.
The plan is to use the study’s findings to help choose the best locations to open service stations and parks for motorhomers and campers – but also set rules that they must follow.
Said the council, the recently-approved study started by evaluating Lagos’ existing infrastructures and conditions for motorhomes before moving into the second stage which involved identifying areas in the borough that could be used to welcome these nomadic travellers.
If all goes according to plan, the study could help boost the number of spaces for overnight stays for motorhomers and campers in Lagos from 800 to 1,200.
Explained the council, four areas have been defined in the study – city, coast, ‘barrocal’ and mountain.
Each area is classified according to how adequate a spot is for a service station or motorhome and camping park.
Motorhome and camping parks to be built can fit into three separate themes – ‘Sun and Sea’, ‘Eco Resorts’ and ‘Rural Camping Parks’ – to make it easier to link the facilities to activities such as “agroindustry, wine tourism, fishing, hiking and cycling”.
Meanwhile, service stations will be classified as “urban, cultural and natural heritage, and rural,” depending on where they are built.
A series of parking spots for motorhomes are also due to be set up throughout the borough, namely at shopping centres, petrol stations and other establishments which in some cases may offer “support services” but are not to be used for overnight stays.
“Fighting illegal and wild motorhoming and camping, minimising their harmful effects, and maximising the advantages and gains of the controlled growth of this sector, which can bolster local and regional tourism, are the main goals of this study,” said the council.
The study also includes information on how to “modernise” service stations and parks and which services should be offered, as well as on how to improve the circulation and parking of these vehicles in the borough.
On the other hand, the council has also confirmed that the motorhome service station near the municipal stadium is to be “definitely closed”, while motorhomers are due to be prevented from driving on the borough’s most narrow roads and in the historic centre of Lagos. However, the council promises to create other service stations near the “main rural centres”.
