The activity of unregistered tour operators, particularly in Madeira's rugged interior, has become a growing problem. These guides, often foreigners residing on the island, operate outside the legal framework, bypassing regulations designed to protect tourists and the destination.
Using digital platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp groups, these operators promote activities such as community walks, charging fees without issuing invoices or carrying mandatory insurance. This leads to tax evasion and unfair competition for licensed tourism companies.
The Regional Directorate of Tourism acknowledges the issue but faces enforcement challenges due to a lack of formal complaints and concrete evidence. Verifying the legality of a guide or tourism company is possible by checking for mandatory registration numbers (RNAAT or RNAVT) on their websites.
