In the tourism area CONSULMAR holds extensive experience, developing its activity both for the public and private sectors. Plans for the redevelopment of degraded areas, conversion of ports infrastructure for recreational use, studies and projects of marinas, large infrastructure projects or touristic resorts, and interventions to better fruition of the coast, such as beaches nourishment and fixation, seaside and riverside promenades, represent one of our main areas of activity.

CONSULMAR holds extensive experience in projects in coastal and river areas, with numerous projects done for both private clients and public administration.

The tourism and leisure sectors, in particular nautical recreation, but also coastal protection and environmental restoration, constitute one of the main areas of activity of the company, which is one of the leading and oldest engineering offices in Portugal.

The services provided have covered the various stages of the work, from strategic planning and feasibility studies to engineering and architectural projects, as well as technical assistance and site supervision and monitoring of works.

Studies and Strategic Planning
The establishment of rules for a sustainable use and management of the coast and river margins is essential for the preservation of this collective natural heritage. We have participated in this process since its inception in Portugal for more than two decades.

CONSULMAR participated in the preparation of various Plans for the Management of the Shoreline (POOC) in Portugal where, by the very nature of those plans, touristic and bathing activities always detained a prominent position. These include the plans of the main tourist area of the country (the coast between Burgau and Vilamoura in the Algarve), the plan for the most sensitive and preserved area regarding the environment (Sines to Burgau, Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina) and also the plan for an area under great pressure for urban expansion (Alcobaça to Mafra, north of Lisbon).

Participation in the Touristic Planning of Madeira Island and in the PRODETUR-EC, the Programme for Touristic Development of the State of Ceará, Brazil, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB, World Bank Group), for which Consulmar undertook the studies and planning regarding the Tourist Base of Mundaú, are examples of specific work in the planning area for the tourism sector.

In the more specific context of nautical recreation, CONSULMAR led the consortiums that developed the “Guiding Plan for the Development of Infrastructures and Supporting Means for Nautical Recreation and Sports,” the plan defining the network of marinas and recreational ports of Portugal, and the “Spatial Planning of the Recreational Areas of the Reservoirs of Alqueva and Pedrogão” which defines the nautical support network in the largest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva dam reservoir.

Marinas and Recreational Harbours
The strong development boom of facilities related to nautical recreation occurred in recent years in Portugal has counted with the participation of CONSULMAR in the large majority of Projects undertaken. This involvement, as designer, and often also providing Technical Assistance or supervising the construction, assumed particular importance in private enterprises projects or under concession, among which we highlight:

• Albufeira Marina, Algarve;
• Portimão Marina, Algarve;
• Marina for the Touristic Resort of Tróia (south of Lisbon);
• Marina for the Touristic Resort of Boca do Rio, Algarve;
• Marina and Touristic complex of Barra, Aveiro;
• Marina for the Touristic Resort of Almada do Ouro, Algarve;
• Marinas and recreational ports for the Touristic Resort of Parque Alqueva;
• Marina for the Touristic Resort of Salamansa Sands, Cabo Verde;
• Marina for the Touristic complex of Mussulo, Angola;
• Marina for Porto Cruz development, Lisbon;
• Cascais Marina;
• Peniche Marina;

For the public sector we also highlight the following projects:

• Marina of Horta, Azores;
• Marina and swimming pools of Ponta Delgada, Azores;
• Marina of Angra do Heroísmo, Azores;
• Marina at Puerto Rey, Douro River;
• Marina at Caldas de Aregos, Douro River;

Most nautical recreation infrastructures developed in Portugal refers to the construction of recreational centres within the commercial ports or conversion of docks or other port infrastructure which use for the purposes of trade or fishing is no longer viable.

In this field the participation of CONSULMAR has also been intense, especially the following projects:

• Marina for “Mega-Yachts” in the dock of Pedroucos, Lisbon;
• Recreational Ports of Alcochete and Algés, Lisbon;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Viana do Castelo;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Figueira da Foz;
• Recreational Port of Ericeira;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Sesimbra;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Sines;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Portimão;
• Recreational Port of Doca de Faro;
• Marina of Lagoa, S. Miguel, Azores;
• Marina of Vila Franca do Campo, S. Miguel, Azores;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Graciosa, Azores;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, Azores;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Lajes, Flores, Azores;
• Recreational Sector of the Port of Velas, S. Jorge, Azores.

Beaches
The coastline and beaches in particular, are now areas of excellence for tourism development.

The protection and enhancement of these areas is therefore a key issue for the success of the sector.

CONSULMAR has collaborated extensively in this area, with both private clients and with the Public Administration, holding today a unique experience in interventions in the coast, particularly in the recovery, or even creation of new beaches.

The following projects involving artificial nourishment and/or construction of retaining structures and fixation of sand should be highlighted:

• Establishment of a new beach and fixation structure for Hotel Vila Vita Parc, Algarve;
• Beach nourishment and creation of an “artificial dune” for the Tourist Resort of Vale do Lobo, Algarve;
• Beach nourishment at Praia da Marina de Vilamoura, Algarve;
• Artificial nourishment of the beaches of Quarteira, Algarve;
• Artificial nourishment of the beaches of Faro, Algarve;
• Artificial nourishment of Praia da Rocha – Vau, Algarve;
• Artificial nourishment of Praia de Albufeira, Algarve;
• Artificial nourishment of beaches and anchoring structures of the island of Luanda, Angola;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures for Restinga da Chicala, Luanda, Angola;
• Recovery and fixation structures for the beach of Porto Amboim, Angola;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures for the Beach of Sumbe, Angola.
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures of the south beaches of Tunis, Tunisia;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures of the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures of the beach to the Tourist Resort of Salamansa Sands, Cape Verde;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures of Ericeira Beach;
• Beach nourishment and fixation structures of Praia Formosa, Azores.

It is also worth mentioning the number of other interventions such as footpaths at the base of the coastal cliffs of Albufeira in the Algarve, and Formosa Beach, in Madeira Island and in the Vagueira Beach, the seafront arrangements in Vila Nova da Barquinha, in the Tagus River, in Portimão, on the River Arade, as well as various projects for supporting infrastructure of touristic resorts, from ferry terminals to roads and water networks, sewage networks, etc.