José Santos has been appointed new president of the Albufeira tourism promotion association (Agência de Promoção de Albufeira – APAL).
He took up the post after the former president, Desidério Silva, stepped down to become the new head of the Algarve Tourism Board.
Santos, who is also administrator of the Grupo Luna Hotéis & Resorts, will have to make do with a lower budget and ensure the municipality of Albufeira is promoted efficiently to internal and external tourist markets. These are particularly difficult times when the country and the region are faced with serious budgetary constraints.
In a statement to the press, the new APAL president said he intended to continue the work that had been started by Desidério Silva, who was also Albufeira Mayor when he founded the association in 2004.
A plan of activities for 2013 was also approved during a recent general assembly, which defined as guidelines “more aggressive marketing” of the council, focusing on the sun and sea segments, as well as ensuring that the problem of seasonality is addressed by attracting the senior holidaymaker, who often visits the Algarve for longer periods of time during the winter months.
José Santos said: “2013 presents a great challenge for all of us, but we believe that together we will overcome these difficulties.”
Entrepreneur António Xufre, who manages several bars in Albufeira, has been appointed vice-president of APAL.
