Miguel Albuquerque asserted that Madeira does not have an excess of tourism, dismissing such notions as "nonsense." According to the President of the Regional Government, the focus should be on organizing the sector to achieve goals of "better product, better service, higher price."
Albuquerque highlighted that investment in public spaces, in coordination with municipal councils, aims to enhance the island's appeal. The objective is to have well-maintained gardens, organized esplanades, and public areas accessible to everyone, without "tourist ghettos." The strategy also includes managing levadas and tourist hotspots, with the implementation of parking meters and charging for access to cover maintenance and support infrastructure.
The head of the Executive presented data showing significant tourism growth between 2015 and 2025, with increases in guests, overnight stays, revenue, and a doubling of the average room price. He argued that this approach benefits everyone by improving the tourism product without massification.
Investment in cultural assets was also mentioned, emphasizing the need to align prices with the quality of the offering and maintenance costs. Albuquerque acknowledged that this is a gradual process but assured that it is planned and will be implemented.
