The figures are part of the second report on monitoring water consumption and the implementation of water efficiency measures prepared by the Energy Agency (ADENE), as part of the Algarve's Commitment to Water Efficiency.

In total, more than 2,300 water efficiency measures were selected by those who signed up for this plan, which included actions such as interventions at the level of devices and irrigation systems, and improvements to the management and maintenance system and equipment. According to the information contained in the report, 53% of the total measures have already been implemented.

Around 75% of those who have signed up for the Save Water seal are concentrated in four Algarve municipalities, namely Albufeira, Loulé, Portimão, and Lagoa, which according to Visit Algarve Portugal “are also those with the largest number of beds available”.

For André Gomes, president of the RTA, “these results reflect the efforts of the tourism sector to combat water scarcity in the Algarve”. As he says, “business owners are very mobilised to face this challenge: the Save Water seal was implemented in March and by July it already represented more than 30% of the beds available in tourist developments in the region”.

In the first monitoring report, with data up to May of this year, the evolution of consumption recorded on the platform indicated a 12% reduction in overall consumption and a 9% reduction in specific water consumption.

The Algarve Water Efficiency Commitment is the result of a resolution by the Council of Ministers in February this year and involves the voluntary participation of tourist developments in implementing an action plan, aimed at implementing immediate and structural water efficiency measures, monitoring water consumption and progress made in implementing the measures.