Madeira Needs New, Yet Unexploited Tourist Attratctions
Madeira’s President Miguel Albuquerque challenged the tourism sector to work on managing visitor capacity at popular spots. He suggested a “pay-to-use” system at some locations to help control numbers and improve the quality of services. Albuquerque also stressed the need to create new tourist attractions that have not yet been fully explored, saying this should follow a “logic of financial sustainability.”
Speaking at the launch of a book reviewing the last ten years of tourism (2015–2024), he said:
There are places that have never been promoted or valued. That needs to change.
Miguel Albuquerque, Diário de Notícias Madeira
Improving Quality of Services and Infrastructure
Albuquerque highlighted an “aesthetic deficit” in cafés and outdoor dining areas, stating the need to improve the quality of these spaces. He said only establishments focusing on quality, especially good service and proper furniturelike chairs that are not made out of plastic, for example. He described this as an important step to improve the offer in tourism.
Miguel Albuquerque said there is an aesthetic deficit in cafés and outdoor dining areas that must be addressed to improve the offer, licensing only establishments that focus on quality, particularly in service, such as using chairs that are not plastic, for example.
He also proposed renewing marina concessions to upgrade these facilities. Regarding transport infrastructure, Albuquerque mentioned delays with heliport projects and preparing the airport for private jets, blaming “a colonial and bureaucratic system” for the slow progress.
Focusing on Worker Training and Fair Pay
Albuquerque underlined the importance of worker training to ensure better wages and job quality in tourism. He was clear on his stance about low-paying companies He stressed the need for an industry that offers both fair pay and good qualifications to its workers.
To have companies that pay badly, it is better they close, he stated. We must ensure this is an industry that pays well and guarantees proper training for its workers.
Miguel Albuquerque, Diário de Notícias Madeira
Regulating Car Rentals and Short-Term Rentals
Looking ahead, Albuquerque said it is necessary to organize the car rental sector, which he described as “in a state of anarchy.” He also supported limiting the number of app-based transport vehicles (TVDEs) and restricting new short-term rental licenses in certain areas. He called on local governments to use tourist taxes to improve public spaces, creating more parks and green areas for the community.
Regarding the institutional issue, he says that we need to resolve the problem of helipads, which we haven't progressed on due to a colonial and bureaucratic system, and the same goes for the airport to be able to receive private jets.
Source: Diário de Notícias Madeira
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