The report concerning the thematic debate on “the municipal management policy of the trade and tourism sector in Lisbon and the current state of these activity areas in the city” has led to crucial conclusions and recommendations for the city council. The discussions held in January were guided by report authors Sofia Vala Rocha (PSD) and Pedro Roque Domingues (PS).
Among 13 proposed recommendations, most received unanimous approval. These include developing specific policies for various city territories, focusing on neighborhoods heavily impacted by tourism and real estate pressures while addressing tourism’s negative effects.
The report suggests revoking inactive local accommodation licenses for a more accurate assessment of the sector’s actual scale and its housing market impact. It also proposes implementing an integrated ticketing system for museums and monuments, facilitating predefined visitor flows to optimize cultural resource management and enhance visitor experiences.
Another recommendation is the establishment of a Municipal Tourism Council, which would bring together sector participants, including public entities, private operators, law enforcement, transport companies, and parish councils, aiming to coordinate policies, foresee issues, and ensure an integrated approach.
Despite objections from PEV, PCP, and Livre, the recommendation was made for the council to press the government on “the urgency of constructing the new Luís de Camões Airport, alongside improvements to existing infrastructure, ensuring the necessary airport capacity for sustainable tourism growth.”
The assembly also desires transparency in the use of the Municipal Tourist Tax; implementation of announced commerce measures, including revising the Historic Shops Regulation; adopting a commercial planning strategy in Lisbon with a Municipal Trade Charter to map the sector and define suitable policies; and enhancing mobility solutions and accessibility with improved public transport offerings.
In this meeting, the deputies approved several recommendations regarding Colina de Santana, resulting from a thematic debate in March with two sessions.
One recommendation urges the council to “assess the feasibility and relevance of proposing to the government the classification of the Sala da Aula da Esfera as Heritage of National Interest, acknowledging its historical, scientific, and architectural value.”
Other proposals include organizing guided tours and promotional activities of hospital, cultural, historical, and architectural heritage present in Colina de Santana, and ensuring a portion of new housing in this area is devoted to affordable housing solutions, contributing to “mitigating the severe housing crisis, promoting social inclusion, and preventing gentrification phenomena in the area.”
In this session, the assembly also approved a motion and a PS recommendation to strengthen the Lisbon Municipal Police by increasing personnel, as well as part of a Chega motion concerning the recruitment regime for agents.
The deputies also endorsed a PSD recommendation to end the uncontrolled, irresponsible proliferation of cat colonies in the city and two Chega proposals: one for the redevelopment and safety of Quinta das Conchas and Lilases parks, and another for the implementation of the Detailed Plan of the Benfica Market Surrounding Area.
