Madeira’s tourism secretary Eduardo Jesus reassures potential visitors that the island is not overwhelmed by tourism, despite reports of increased visitor numbers and real estate pressures.
BollywoodFever: Eduardo Jesus, the regional secretary for Economy, Tourism, and Culture in Madeira, has pushed back against claims that the popular tourist destination is overwhelmed with visitors. Speaking at a tourist awards ceremony at Convento de Santa Clara, Jesus emphasized, “Madeira does not have too much tourism, Madeira does not have tourist pressure.”
Recent reports had suggested that the island, known for its wineries and beautiful landscapes, was struggling with an influx of tourists, particularly from the UK and the US. However, Jesus refuted these claims, asserting that the region is far from experiencing the kind of tourism saturation seen in other global destinations.
Addressing the World Tourism Organisation’s Data
Jesus pointed out that the figures from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) were being skewed by how they calculated tourist impact—dividing overnight stays by the number of residents and tourist flow by the region’s square kilometers. He stressed that, when compared to other destinations, Madeira is “an endless distance away” from being overwhelmed by tourism.
Rising Tourism and Real Estate Challenges
Tourism in Madeira has been on the rise, with over 10.9 million tourist overnight stays recorded in 2023—a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM).
There have been rumors that the island’s growing real estate market and increasing demand for vineyards have caused locals, particularly winemakers in Câmara de Lobos and Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, to struggle. Reports suggest that some wine production areas are being repurposed for hotels and tourist accommodations. However, Eduardo Jesus dismissed these claims, maintaining that tourism growth has not led to a detrimental impact on Madeira’s local industries.
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