ADN-Madeira, through a statement signed by its Regional Coordinator Miguel Pita, has criticised the online booking system for walking tours in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, calling it a failure. The party says the Simplifica Portal is harming the destination in the short term because many tourists cannot secure the routes they want. It also argues that not all visitors are comfortable using the Internet, and that everyone should have equal access to the island’s land routes and viewpoints. ADN-Madeira says some tourists are unable to recover money paid in advance, especially since the portal states that completed and paid reservations cannot be changed or refunded. The party adds that rescheduling or refunds are only possible when an activity has been cancelled for reasons attributable to the IFCN. It warns that visitors are being forced either to continue with a walk despite poor physical or health conditions, or to lose their money. ADN-Madeira also says some people in areas like Rabaçal are using alternative routes to avoid Forest Police checks and the fee, making the situation unfair for those who pay. As an alternative, the party again proposes a single tourist tax paid on arrival at the airport, by cash or card, with a QR code valid for the trails and viewpoints chosen by the visitor, and says the revenue should go to the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of Madeira with greater transparency.
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