Through a statement signed by the Regional Coordinator of the ADN-Madeira, Miguel Pita, he denounces what he considers to be the failure of the online booking system through the Simplifica Portal for walking tours in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, warning of the negative consequences that the measure is having on the tourist destination in the short term.
Miguel Pita says that the online reservation system through the Simplifica Portal for walking tours in the Autonomous Region of Madeira is not functional and is only harming our destination, adding that not all tourists master the use of the Internet and that they have the same right to access the island’s land routes and viewpoints.
Now, the party asks the Regional Government to quickly recognise the failure of the measure, pointing out that the main problem is that many tourists are unable to book the desired routes and, in some cases, are also unable to obtain a refund of payments made in advance. The Simplifica Portal explicitly indicates that “it is not possible to make changes or refund requests to completed and paid reservations,” and that “the rescheduling or refund of an activity (route, camp, or dive) is only possible if it has been cancelled for reasons attributable to the IFCN.”
ADN-Madeira underlines the practical impossibility of anyone predicting in advance whether they will be in physical or health conditions to carry out the planned tour, a situation in which the tourist is faced with a dilemma: “Either they take the tour even though they are not in good condition, putting their physical integrity at risk, or they simply lose the money.”
The party also points out that in some areas, like Rabaçal, there are people using alternative routes to the main entrance to avoid Forest Police checks and the fee. This makes things “even more unfair” for those who pay and end up having to squeeze through crowded walkways meant for leisure.
As an alternative, ADN-Madeira reiterates its proposal for a single payment of a tourist tax upon arrival at the airport, accessible by payment in cash or card, with the issuance of a QR code valid for the trails and viewpoints that the visitor chooses, on the days and times of their convenience. The party also defends that the revenues revert to the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, with greater transparency in the application of the funds, something that, according to Miguel Pita, “has not happened since Madeira introduced tourist taxes.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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