THEPORTUGUESE island of Madeira is expected to increase its bed capacity by 20% to 24,000 between now and the end of 2000.
Madeira Tourist Authority director general Conceicao Estudante said 18 hotel projects were currently under development.
Of these, 12 are in the four or five-star category. At present, 60% of hotels on the island are in these bands, and this representation will be maintained when the expansion of bedstock is complete.
Estudante said Madeira had pledged not to increase its capacity beyond 28,000 beds, which will probably be reached in 2002. “We have created a ceiling to preserve the quality of the destination and its environment,” she said. “We don’t want to damage the destination. Hotel development will be low-level, not high rise.”
Meanwhile, Madeira is on target to complete ú26bn worth of improvements to its airport by September 2000.
The work, which includes a new runway and improved customer facilities, will enable more airlines to fly in to Funchal.
Madeira reported a 12% increase in UK visitors to 100,000 last year. Estudante is forecasting a further rise of 8%-10% in 1999.