Asked if the region can cope with increased levels of tourism without jeopardising the normal functioning and distribution of water to residents, Amílcar Gonçalves, chairman of the board of directors of ARM – Águas e Resíduos da Madeira, began by saying that with regards to levels of consumption, tourism is considered a fluctuating population.
“When we design the systems, in addition to the residents, we have to consider this fluctuating population. And the fact is that it has evolved significantly. Holidaymakers always use more water, and we have to factor this in in terms of catchment. From the region’s perspective there is no such concern, he said, stressing that people do not have to be afraid that the increase in tourism will, in essence, affect the amount of water available.
For his part, João Aragão, from Galo Resort Hotels, notes that tourism has “changed a lot” in the last two years with regards to sustainability and efficiency. “There is not the same vision that there was a few years ago,” he says, adding that there has to be more awareness and information in another way, through other mechanisms.
Luís Simas, from ERSAR, also made a point of speaking, addressing João Aragão, suggesting rewarding customers on the invoice, at checkout, who had a below-average consumption with a discount on the rate, as well as dividing the profit between the hotel and the customer.
At another level, Amílcar Gonçalves also considered that Madeirans have a notion of what the sustainable use of water is. However, he believes that many do not treat water as a valuable resource.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
