Madeira Has Not Reached Tourism Limit, Says Regional Secretary
The tourism market in the Autonomous Region of Madeira has not yet reached its capacity limit, according to an analysis of its economic elasticity. The statement was made by Eduardo Jesus, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment, and Culture, during the opening of the XVII Annual Tourism Conference (CAT), organized by the Regional Delegation of the Order of Economists. In a pre-recorded message, the government official emphasized that key indicators show continued potential for growth in the sector. He explained that the concept of elasticity is central to understanding how tourism demand and supply respond to variables such as price and income. The secretary detailed that between 2015 and 2024, the average price per room in the region increased by 85%, while the number of overnight stays grew by 67%. 'This proves that demand has kept up with price increases, with no signs of retraction,' stated Eduardo Jesus. He interpreted this data as clear evidence that the market is not yet saturated. 'If we were at the limit of elasticity, the price increase would have caused a drop in overnight stays. But that is not what happened,' he affirmed, attributing the sustained demand to the destination's strong and consolidated reputation. The regional government is now preparing for the next phase of strategic planning for the sector. The secretary announced that a new tourism strategy will be defined for the period of 2026 and 2027. This process will also involve a revision of the current Tourism Land Use Plan (Plano de Ordenamento do Turismo), which governs development and zoning for tourism-related projects. In parallel with these long-term plans, immediate measures are being implemented to address existing challenges. These include initiatives to deconcentrate tourist flows from the most pressured points of interest and to enhance access management through the use of technology. 'Not everything is done, nor is everything perfect,' the secretary conceded, highlighting the government's commitment to finding innovative planning solutions to secure a sustainable future for tourism in Madeira. Discover rental property opportunities and regulations at realestate-lisbon.com.