ACIF – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Madeira, in a recent meeting with the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, reiterated its concern about the lack of progress in defining the draft of the collaboration protocol, which will ensure exemption from charging on the recommended routes for Tourist Entertainment companies and Travel Agencies, since the entry into force of Ordinance No. 556/2024.
In a press statement, ACIF stresses that “the signing of this protocol is extremely relevant for the regional tourism sector, since its application will allow companies to benefit from exemption from payment for access to the routes until the end of 2025.”
“This measure is fundamental, given that the prices of the tourist packages for next year have already been contracted with the operators, before the introduction of the fee, making it impossible to make immediate adjustments to prices, so any additional burden will be absorbed by regional companies, putting their profitability at risk,” says ACIF which, in the meeting with Rafaela Fernandes, was accompanied by the Presidents of the Travel Agencies and Tourist Entertainment sector and four businesswomen.
“For the collection of routes to be viable, it is essential that companies can plan and inform their customers and business partners in advance. Thus, in order not to compromise the commercial balance of Travel Agencies and Tourist Entertainment companies, this alignment can only occur from January 2026.”
However, “the approach of the Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities aggravates the situation, as the processes tend to be postponed or suspended during this period,” warned the Association.
“ACIF calls for urgency in finalising the protocol to ensure that the affected companies can operate with due predictability and safety, given that the lack of clarity and speed in this process can negatively impact the relationship with commercial partners and affect Madeira’s competitiveness.
It is essential to sign this protocol, before the end of 2024, to protect the regional tourism sector and ensure that local companies can continue to play their role in promoting Madeira as a destination of excellence.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
