Children aged ten or under are exempt from the tax and children aged 11 to 13 will pay only half of the supplement.
According to Vila Real de Santo António council, the tax “will be applied to all types of accommodation for a maximum of seven nights so that it does not affect the appeal of the municipality.”
Mayor Luís Gomes said the tax, which was first approved in 2012, was brought in due to the need the council has in “finding finance to create infrastructures and activities relating to tourism.”
However, the Algarve’s largest hotel association AHETA has spoken out against the news, saying it is “openly against” the town’s intention.
Speaking to radio station TSF, AHETA president Elidérico Viegas voiced his thoughts on the matter, saying tourist taxes “are for large European and World capitals and for short stays” of up to three days maximum and therefore do not exist in regions like the Algarve.
The head of the association stressed the measure “has nothing to do with leisure tourism destinations” like southern Portugal.
He deemed the intention “a counter-measure to services rendered” he hopes the Vila Real de Santo António council is open to talks with them, or would even consider taking the matter to the courts.
Mayor Gomes said he found the association’s criticism “odd”, and stressed “the process was up for public consultation for 30 days and no amendments were made.”
An identical tax at €1 per person, per overnight stay came into force in Lisbon at the beginning of this year.
It applies to all foreign and national tourists staying in the Portuguese capital, with people visiting for medical reasons, those on an official invitation and children aged 13 or under being exempt.