At the forum commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Laurissilva forest as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, held this afternoon at the Botanical Garden, an initiative of JM with the relevant authorities, Eduardo Jesus, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture, announced that from January 1st it will be mandatory to reserve a time slot to visit Madeira’s tourist routes, including the Laurissilva forest and other points of natural interest.
The official explained that the measure, valid for tour operators and individuals, aims to manage the concentration of people throughout the day, which generates traffic problems and puts pressure on the spaces, even though the maximum daily capacity has never been exceeded, as revealed by a study developed in collaboration with the University of Madeira. “It is a collective responsibility and is part of how we want to preserve it, and that is why we are revisiting this very important dossier, to understand to what extent a given space can withstand it,” he said.
The management of the time slots will be done through the SIMplifica platform, where each time slot will have a visitor limit. If a slot is full, you will need to choose another time slot, either earlier or later. Eduardo Jesus compared the system to a visit to a museum, where one chooses an entry time to avoid crowds.
“This is a practice visible in various territories around the world. It’s a change of habit here in Madeira, not only for residents, who continue to have the freedom to enjoy the mountains without paying for it,” he added.
Regarding how tourists will learn about the available slots, the secretary explained that organized tour operators and entry points will guide visitors, while residents will have their own information. The IFCN (Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation) will also provide an app and a revamped website to inform about available times and manage the flow of people.
The measure aims to reconcile tourism enjoyment and environmental preservation, avoiding overloading the routes and ensuring a safer and more organized experience for everyone.