Miguel Albuquerque said the modernisation of the Funchal Cable Car was “timely”, reinforcing the competitiveness of a tourist attraction that, after 25 years of operation, needed to update its technology, safety and comfort standards.
Speaking on the sidelines of the presentation of the €4.5 million refurbishment project, the President of the Regional Government praised the new cabins, including those with glass floors, saying they offer wonderful views and a sensational experience.
The refurbishment included the introduction of five glass-floored cabins, an increase in passenger capacity, and the reopening of the attraction in early April.
Asked about the possibility of extending the line to Terreiro da Luta, Albuquerque recalled that the option had already been included in the concession specifications. However, any expansion would depend on economic viability and business decisions.
“Everything that has attractiveness and quality, I am fully in favour of,” he said, arguing that an extension to Terreiro da Luta could encourage the creation of new activities capable of attracting more visitors.
Even so, the head of the Regional Government stressed that it is not the Government’s role to become directly involved in private business ventures.
“The Government creates the conditions for businessmen and entrepreneurs to develop their economic activities. When the Government gets involved in business, it goes wrong,” he declared.
The comments came after Ricardo Pinto Correia, chairman of the board of directors of Madeira Cable Car, admitted openness to proposals for an extension, while warning that such a project would require significant investment and would only make sense if accompanied by new attractions in the area.
Regarding the Curral das Freiras cable car project, Albuquerque assured that the tender process remains on track and noted that some infrastructure works have already begun.
The project has been presented as a large-scale tourism investment, combining a cable car with an adventure park, interpretation centre and supporting infrastructure.
Confronted with the fact that the current concessionaire of the Funchal Cable Car had not entered the tender, Albuquerque played down the issue.
“That depends on management and business decisions. We do not get involved in that,” he concluded.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Views: 8
