A cooperation protocol was signed today in the Noble Hall of the Funchal City Council, between the Funchal City Council, APRAM – Madeira Ports Association, and CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) aims to carry out actions to plant native or endemic trees in the Funchal Ecological Park during the end of the cruise high-seasons (September and May).
The President of the CMF, Cristina Pedra took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the conference which brings together the members of the CAI (Cruise Atlantic Islands), with representatives of official entities, agents of the sector, including journalists, and the Vice-Presiden of the CLIA.
In a year of “records” in terms of tourism indicators, the mayor, Cristina Pedra also recalled the “great importance” of tourism for Funchal, stressing that there is a tourism department in the municipality, stating that the city is prepared “to receive cruise ships” and “tourism.”
In view of this increase in tourists and the greater pressure on the city and the consequent “increase in costs” (which focus on the municipality’s services and existing infrastructures), the mayor also noted the entry into force of the tourist tax for cruise passengers, with the same values that are used for hotels and local accommodation, two euros per person per day), remembering that the values practiced in Funchal are low when compared to other European destinations.
Part of the tax has been promised towards street cleaning.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
