The location he grew up in taught Hélder Martins the value of hard work and resilience, as he mentioned to The Portugal News.

Hélder Martins was an entrepreneur and has even led associations. In terms of politics, Hélder Martins was president of a parish and vice-president of Loulé Municipality. He is also the president of the Algarve Regional Tourism Board (RTA) and the Algarve Hotels and Tourism Enterprises Association (AHETA). With this professional path, Hélder Martins is aware of the challenges linked to the economy and public administration.

The Portugal News (TPN): Will foreign investment in the municipality be one of your priorities?
Hélder Martins (HM): Yes. Foreign investment is important for the local economy, but it must be sustainable, creating jobs and value for the community. We want to develop modern business zones, a Technology Innovation Park in Loulé, and better conditions for responsible investors, always in balance with the territory and with the needs of the people who live here.

TPN: What measures do you intend to apply for the foreign population that comes to live and work in Loulé?
HM: The municipality of Loulé is increasingly international, and we must be ready for that. Integration often means something very practical: being able to deal with a document, a licence, or a school enrolment without language or bureaucratic barriers. That is why we will introduce bilingual digital platforms and public service desks with staff able to communicate in English. We will also centralise municipal services in the new Administrative Centre in Almancil, closer to the communities.

In addition, we will promote social and cultural integration through community programmes that bring together different nationalities. Our priority is simple: anyone choosing to live in Loulé should feel welcome and find a municipality that is open, well-organised, and accessible.

TPN: What type of tourism do you want to promote in Loulé?
HM: We want quality, diversified and sustainable tourism. Our focus is on upgrading the Quarteira seafront, redeveloping natural areas such as Alte, and strengthening the link between tourism, culture, and local identity. Loulé has unique conditions to stand out not only in sun-and-sea tourism, but also in nature tourism, cultural tourism, and innovation-driven tourism.

TPN: Other Algarve municipalities have introduced stricter rules for tourism. Do you feel this is necessary in Loulé?
HM: The reality in the municipality of Loulé is different from that of other areas where excesses linked to tourism and disruptive behaviour have become widespread. Fortunately, that is not the general pattern here. At this stage, we do not consider it necessary to introduce the same rules.


However, our responsibility is to act before such problems arise. That means strengthening monitoring and enforcement in high-pressure tourist areas, such as Vilamoura, so that situations do not escalate to the point where stricter rules would be required. If we ever reach that stage, we will take the necessary measures — but our priority is prevention, ensuring that residents’ quality of life is protected and that Loulé remains a safe and balanced destination.

TPN: What plans does your candidacy have for the so-called “Golden Triangle”?
HM: The areas of Almancil, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, as well as major tourism centres such as Quarteira and Vilamoura, are strategic for the municipality of Loulé. We want to reinforce road connections, improve safety, and enhance public space management. Our goal is to ensure these areas remain attractive for investment and tourism, but also well integrated with the rest of the municipality. A concrete example of this priority is to do a new road link between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, which will include both pedestrian and cycling paths.

TPN: Loulé is one of the wealthiest municipalities in the Algarve. How do you intend to use part of the budget in sectors such as health and education?
HM: Despite this wealth, inequalities still exist. We will use the municipal budget to reduce them: building new schools, eliminating temporary classrooms known as “containers” (precarious prefabricated structures still in use in some schools), offering scholarships that fully cover university tuition fees, and guaranteeing free nurseries for all children.


In health, we will prioritise local care facilities for the elderly, intergenerational centres, and above all, the complete refurbishment of Quarteira Health Centre, which still operates in very limited conditions and with the “containers”. Investment will always be focused on good concrete projects, because development only makes sense if it reaches everyone.

TPN: In terms of transport, what can the population expect?
HM: We propose an integrated public transport system: free for those who need it most, with on-demand services for rural areas, a single municipal travel card, and intermodal stations in Quarteira and Almancil. We will strengthen rail connections and prepare for the arrival of the Metrobus and, in the future, high-speed rail. At the same time, we will invest in safe cycle lanes and eco-trails for those who prefer soft mobility. The goal is to reduce traffic, pollution, and dependence on cars.

TPN: If elected mayor, what will be the first measure you intend to approve?
HM: One of my top priorities will be to establish a Municipal Security Plan, including a new Municipal Police force and CCTV monitoring in key areas. Security is the foundation of confidence — for residents, investors, and visitors alike. At the same time, we will launch a thorough survey of housing needs, because affordable housing is equally urgent.

TPN: What message would you say to people in Loulé?

HM: I would like to leave a simple message: the municipality of Loulé is already a land of opportunities, but it can become much more. My commitment is to work with rigour, openness, and dialogue so that everyone, Portuguese or foreign, newcomers or long-term residents, feels proud to live here. I will not promise the impossible, but I guarantee that every decision will focus on improving people’s quality of life.

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Author

Currently, the Deputy Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos