Census 2011: the Algarve population has grown by 55,000 in the past 10 years while depopulation of the interior continues.
According to the preliminary results of the 2011 census, the Algarve and Madeira are the two regions of Portugal showing the largest increase in population over the past decade.
Despite the general slow-down in the Portuguese property market, there are plenty of lenders ready and able to finance purchases by non-residents. However, the loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are lower and the interest spreads are higher than a couple of years ago, with affordability is a key issue.
On 11th June, Onyria Golf Resorts opened Onyria Palmares Golf, a 27-hole course conceived by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and situated at Palmares in Lagos.
The works on the new golf course were initiated in January, 2009, and represent an investment of 10 million euros.
The inaugural event, a two day “shotgun” tournament, took place on 11th and 12th June. The first day was dedicated to tour operators and journalists, and the second day to corporate guests of Onyria Golf Resorts. Golfers were able to speak directly to the architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., who was present on both days of the event.
Increasingly buying a property overseas for environmental reasons is becoming the norm and that’s exactly what the Keet family did when purchasing their four-bedroom home in AlmaVerde, Western Algarve.
On a recent trip to Seville, I was idly leafing through the hotel chain magazine. I suppose the idea of these publications is to draw the reader in with articles of general interest, and to hit them with advertorials promoting new destinations, refurbishments and so on. Aiming to appeal to the international traveller, the articles appear both in the local language and in English. As befits a publication reflecting luxury values, considerable care is taken over the photography, typography and layout, even the quality of paper stock used.
Luz Casal
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The following article is written by Gordon Sillence, the London Olympic 2012 Truce Campaign Coordinator
The “500 days to go clock” started for the London 2012 Olympic Games in mid March 2011. That also means there are now less than 500 days to go to plan and implement a credible worldwide 16 day long truce. This article updates the progress towards the successful implementation of the Truce as it is being monitored by Gordon Sillence, who is the coordinator of the London 2012 Olympic Truce Campaign.
Gordon Sillence with Chris Ford at Wellness at AlmaVerde Read more
The government will not be introducing the tolls on the four “SCUT” motorways previously scheduled for the 15th of April, reports AFPOP, the Association for Foreign Residents and Property Owners in Portugal. The process is now on hold until the result of the elections in June.
Specialists in ornithology, botany, geology and marine biology will be highlighting the hidden natural world of the Sagres peninsula in a series of discussions scheduled for 2nd October at 2:30 pm, as part of the Sagres Birdwatching Festival.
Hoopoe
The least expensive city for hotel accommodation in Portugal so far in 2010 has been Portimão, with an average room price per night of €50, according to the Hotel Price Index Hotéis.com. The next cheapest cities were Quarteira (€51) and Vila Nova de Gaia (€55).
Following legislation passed on 9th September to introduce tolls on the A22 by April of next year, a public meeting has been convened in Loulé for this evening, 20th September, to form a Via do Infante Users’ Commission in order to coordinate opposition to the “unjust and unacceptable” toll scheme.
Photo credit: Elisabete Rodrigues
