A new sign has been placed by a popular beach for British holidaymakers in Albufeira, Portugal, where it warns people not to do a “disgusting” act which has left many tourists shocked
Brits heading to a holiday hotspot have been warned not to do a “disgusting” act with a “bizarre” sign put up.
Albufeira in Portugal is a favourite tourist destination for people from the UK looking for sunshine and beaches but it appears as though locals are not happy with the behaviour of some tourists. Visitors to Santa Eulalia beach are now met with a sign telling them not to use it as a toilet. It is a registered Blue Flag beach, which means it has high safety and quality standards.
The angry notice reads: “Nao urinar” which translates as “don’t urinate” in English and this might appear normal enough. But also in English, underneath it reads: “No poop and pee”. It comes after Spanish beach bars are demanding urgent action as they reveal cost of Brits staying away.
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It has an image of a man doing a wee and another defecating with a red line through it. The sign may not be particularly targeting British visitors but as it was added in English it does appear to be an issue with foreign tourists.
And it has left holidaymakers shocked. One tourist told What’s The Jam: “Who would brazenly do a poo on a beach? I think most people know that is not acceptable behaviour.
“I’m not sure why they need a sign to warn people from doing it. But I guess it was there because disgusting people have done it in the past. All in all, it was a bizarre thing to see on the beach.”
It is estimated that two million British holidaymakers head to Portugal every year for their summer holidays. The vast majority head to the Algarve region where the beach is, and there are a further 45,000 expats from the UK living there.
It comes as Albufeira has gone to war with badly-behaved tourists by approving huge new fines. Penalty charges of up to €4,000 (£3,375) for holidaymakers who flout a strict new good behaviour code has been agreed by local councillors.
Visitors were first warned about the new get-tough rules in February when Albufeira ’s mayor Jose Carlos Rolo announced the ‘Code of Conduct’ plans and put proposals out to public consultation. And the process took a giant leap forward in June as it emerged holidaymakers can be hit with the fines once they are published in an official state bulletin.
People who enter bars and other business premises with their tops off will face fines of up to €1,500 (£1,250) under the new rules, with the wearing of beachwear outside of allowed areas also being tackled. Spitting or urinating in the street will be punished with fines of between €150 (£125) and €750 (£630).
And badly-behaved tourists who end up naked in public, or get caught having or simulating sex, face fines of between €2,000 (£1,685) and €4,000 (£3,375). Bars and cafes who let customers in without the proper dress code will also be hit with financial penalties under the new rules.