Promoting Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
We take pride in promoting responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. To minimize any negative impact on the local culture and environment while maintaining respect for the surroundings and local communities, we provide our visitors with suggestions and guidance. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the preservation of our natural resources for future generations.
To actively contribute to environmental conservation, we adopt various practices within our operations. We actively reduce and, whenever feasible, reuse household waste and paper. Moreover, we strongly encourage our guests to reduce their use of plastic water bottles by bringing reusable ones during their stay. Together, we can significantly reduce single-use plastic consumption.
We are committed to creating a positive environmental impact and educating our visitors about the importance of environmental sensitivity. It is crucial that we all familiarize ourselves with the rules of the countryside, including staying on designated paths, maintaining minimal noise levels, observing wildlife from a respectful distance, preserving plants, and leaving no trace of our presence. These small but meaningful actions can prevent unintentional harm to local ecosystems.
We kindly request hikers to respect private property and remain on the marked trails. Additionally, we encourage kindness and respect towards local residents, whose cooperation and support contribute to a harmonious coexistence. If you come across damaged signs during your hikes, we appreciate it if you could photograph them and report the issue to us. By working together, we can ensure a pleasant experience for all and aid in maintaining the integrity of our surroundings.
At our accommodation, we are proud to prioritize sustainability by harnessing the power of renewable energy. Through our solar panels, we generate hot water, reducing our reliance on conventional energy sources and minimizing our environmental footprint.
During our walks around the picturesque barragem Funcho and its surrounding areas, we take proactive measures to preserve the natural beauty and protect the local ecosystem. As responsible stewards of the environment, we actively collect floating debris and litter that may have been left behind, including plastic water bottles, disposable masks, plastic bags, and even discarded appliances. These actions are essential in safeguarding the well-being of the water life and ensuring the cleanliness of our surroundings.
Celebrating Local Heritage and Supporting the Community
We encourage our visitors to purchase local, handmade or locally produced crafts by visiting nearby villages where we can promote the local heritage, architecture, culture, arts, crafts, tradition and gastronomy of our region. We enjoy meals in local family owned restaurants and we support local income by employing local guides, art tutors and cleaners from our area.
The produce used to prepare meals at Figs on the Funcho are locally sourced as much as possible by shopping at our local village market. Even the honey served at breakfast is purchased from our local beekeepers who also tend to our lovely garden. Olive oil produced in our local area is used in our kitchen. The towels in our bathrooms and the linen used to make up the beds are made in Portugal.
Empowering Local Communities
Positive impact within communities can manifest in various ways, such as the creation of job opportunities for painting tutors and artisans specializing in creative arts like tile painting. This, in turn, contributes to an improved quality of life for local residents and generates economic prosperity within the region.
At our establishment, we prioritize supporting the local community and enhancing their well-being. As you plan your trip, we invite you to explore our Things to Do page, where you will find a curated selection of pre-trip suggestions. These recommendations encompass a wide range of local services that not only enrich your experience but also provide significant benefits to the community. From authentic restaurants showcasing regional cuisine to knowledgeable local guides, unique shops, and vibrant craft markets, these offerings offer you the opportunity to actively participate in fostering sustainable growth within the area.
Promoting Social Responsibility
We are proud to announce our partnership with Vita Nativa. Through initiatives like providing nesting boxes, improving the environmental quality of goods produced, and reducing the use of harmful substances in agriculture, such as poisons, we actively contribute to the preservation of nature and wildlife. To learn more about this collaboration, we invite you to delve into the featured chapter of “A New Life in Algarve Portugal.”
Beyond the traditional allure of sun, surf, and sand, our establishment focuses on a diverse range of tourist attractions and activities that go beyond typical experiences. By participating in these offerings, you can engage with local social projects that directly or indirectly benefit the host community. Additionally, we encourage you to visit Loule, a vibrant destination where creative tourism flourishes. Discover a network of shops specializing in palm weaving, tile painting, clay and copper crafts, as well as studios dedicated to the artistry of watchmaking and lutherie.