Professor Dr. Luis Coelho is the Dean of the School of Economics at the University of Algarve and has been in the Algarve since he was 18 years old. He shares his journey from Beja (where zero of his graduating class returned after university) to studying economics at UAlg, secretly switching from business management without telling his father, and eventually getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh.Luis breaks down the stark reality of the Algarve economy: 60% of wealth creation comes directly from tourism and real estate, with another 20-30% indirectly related.We discuss over-tourism concerns (not yet a major issue according to Observatory for Sustainable Tourism data, but red flags emerging around housing and beach access), the economic contribution of immigrants (positive overall, enabling Portugal's recent growth, but questions about 30% who aren't registered with social security), and why housing prices keep skyrocketing despite interest rate increases that should have slowed the market.Perfect for anyone trying to understand the economic reality of relocating to the Algarve, why housing is so expensive, what the future holds for the region, or how immigration actually impacts the economy.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Dean of School of Economics00:50 From Beja to the Algarve: Why He Chose Faro10:33 School of Economics13:58 How the School Impacts the Algarve Region16:56 Research Centers and Tourism Studies20:09 The Reality: 60% of Algarve Economy is Tourism25:13 Over-Tourism: Is It a Problem Yet?28:45 Immigration: Economic Boost or Drain?35:18 Tech Startups and Algarve Tec Hub38:57 Why Cost of Living Keeps Rising in Portugal41:51 Housing Crisis: Why Prices Won't Stop Rising45:10 Future of the Algarve Economy: Three Key Areas➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contactCheck out our Instagram @algarveaddicts

Join our FREE Portuguese webinar with Liz Sharma on January 21st!Sign up here: https://luma.com/czavpk6p

Liz Sharma is the founder of Talk the Streets, a Portuguese language learning platform that focuses on practical Portuguese in plain English. She studied Portuguese at university in Manchester, fell in love with the language, did an Erasmus exchange in Coimbra, and eventually moved to Lisbon nine years ago at age 30 when she was ready for a new chapter.

Liz shares how she went from working in PR and traveling constantly to Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, to deciding she wanted to put down roots in Lisbon. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she started a YouTube channel teaching European Portuguese, and it took off immediately because she was filling a gap in how Portuguese was being taught online.

We discuss why you're missing out on 50-80% of experiences and connections in Portugal if you can't speak the language, even in big cities where everyone speaks English. Liz explains her PRO method: Pronunciation (so people actually understand you and don't respond in English), Real-life dialogues (not just colors and animals), and Only essential grammar (not pages of fill-in-the-gap exercises).

You'll hear about the common misconceptions about Portuguese pronunciation, why native English speakers find language learning so daunting, and practical examples like students leaving notes in neighbors' postboxes that spark real friendships. Liz also shares stories of her students joining knitting circles, hiking groups, and clearing yards with neighbors because they made the effort to learn the language.

Perfect for anyone considering relocation to Portugal who's intimidated by language learning, retirees moving to more remote areas where Portuguese is essential, or anyone frustrated that Portuguese people keep responding to them in English.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Meet Liz from Talk the Streets01:08 Studying Portuguese at University in Manchester03:24 Moving to Lisbon Nine Years Ago at Age 3004:38 What Lisbon Was Like Before the Digital Nomad Boom07:15 From PR Travel to Teaching Portuguese08:23 Starting a YouTube Channel During the Pandemic10:38 Why Learning Portuguese Matters Even When Everyone Speaks English12:38 The Problem with Traditional Language Learning12:55 Stories of Students Integrating Through Portuguese15:37 The PRO Method: Pronunciation, Real-Life, Only Essential Grammar16:23 Why People Respond to You in English (And How to Fix It)18:16 What We'll Cover in the Free Webinar

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts

Connect with Raw Algarve Adventures:Website: https://www.rawalgarve.com/

Meet Chris Holt, a Canadian who runs Raw Algarve Adventures, showing visitors the hidden side of the Algarve that most tourists miss. Chris first visited Lagos in 2014, fell in love with the place, but couldn't see how to afford life here on hostel and bar wages. After teaching English in Madrid and returning every summer, he finally started his adventure tour business in 2018.

Chris shares how he navigated setting up a business in Portugal as a foreigner, dealing with finances for the first time, and switching from a British to Irish passport after Brexit. We talk about why Lagos is the perfect base for exploring the western Algarve triangle, how the season has extended from just summer to nearly year-round, and what visitors miss when they only hit the greatest hits like Benagil.

You'll discover the hidden beaches and interior spots worth exploring, why winter hiking in the Algarve is underrated, and how a group of hostel workers became a network of business owners in Lagos. Chris also shares practical advice on over tourism, the Via Algarviana trail, and why being willing to walk a bit and drive 30 minutes opens up completely different experiences.

Perfect for people considering adventure tourism businesses in Portugal, relocators wanting to understand Lagos beyond the party reputation, hikers looking for less crowded trails, or anyone curious about building a life here starting from scratch.

Chapters00:03 Introduction: Life in Lagos Since 201800:32 From Canada to France to Lagos01:20 The Hostel Friend Group That Became Business Owners01:51 The Four Years Before Starting Raw Algarve03:17 Setting Up a Business in Portugal as a Foreigner04:34 Switching from British to Irish Passport After Brexit05:23 Managing Your Own Business: Marketing and Guiding05:32 How the Season Has Extended Beyond Summer06:30 What Most Visitors Miss in the Algarve07:40 Lagos: Perfect Base for the Western Triangle08:12 Vetting People for Cliff Walks09:17 The Seven Hanging Valleys Hike10:42 Safety on the Cliffs: Darwin Awards and Selfie Deaths12:04 Dogs Wine Beach: The Unique Dog Shelter Partnership14:57 Meet Bento: Chris's Rescue Dog15:40 Wine Under Seven Euros: Portugal's Hidden Gems16:44 Adding History to the Tours18:07 The Moorish Influence on the Algarve19:38 Henry the Navigator and Lagos History20:24 How Salazar Changed Portuguese Architecture22:22 The 1974 Revolution's Impact on Portuguese Culture23:53 Social Responsibility and Leave No Trace25:26 Over Tourism: Are We On That Path?26:26 What the Government Should Focus On28:25 Meet Dolores: The 1999 Toyota Hiace31:22 What Relocators Should Know About Lagos32:25 Managing Mold and Real Life in Portugal33:38 Learning Portuguese: Why It Matters More Than Ever35:49 The Best Way to Learn Portuguese37:09 Making an Effort to Integrate39:39 What's Next for Chris40:46 Exploring the Interior: Hidden Restaurant Gems42:47 Via Algarviana and Winter Hiking44:21 Madeira: The Best Hike Outside the Algarve46:13 Future Collaboration Plans

➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact

Check out our Instagram instagram.com/algarveaddicts