A tourism professional has denounced to local newspaper, JM, what he calls “rubbish and wild tourism,” stating that he had never witnessed anything similar in all his years of working within the industry.
The case occurred this morning in Pico Ruivo, where organised groups of visitors were surprised by signs of environmental degradation. “It’s like turning nature, our mountains, into a bathroom. This is unthinkable,” he said.
The guide mentioned that while leading a group of tourists around 11 am, he encountered scattered rubbish and a foul smell at various spots along the route. “Some areas were as bad as an open sewer. It was very noticeable. Organised groups tend to be more respectful and don’t act this way, but rent-a-car tourists, who camp and sleep wherever they please, are becoming a real problem for our island.”
Among the waste found were dirty papers, napkins, and even toilet paper, a situation that, according to the professional, “is shameful and jeopardises public health.”
The guide further criticises the lack of intervention by the competent authorities: “Contrary to what those responsible say, the situation is worsening and puts Madeira’s image abroad at risk. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, at that time, the walks were more organised and everything seemed more harmonious. Now,” he warns, “there are tourists who have already filed complaints, stating they will not return if this state of degeneration persists.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
