Very sad…

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

Photos being shared on social media, Nothing more to say.

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35 Responses

  1. Cannot the Goverment BAN these Car Rental Tents + the Firms that Hire them.out ? 🥵 They cannot just drive onto the Island so if rented out = should be Forbidden by Law ?

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  2. Why are these people not just sent back to their own country? Why do they think it’s appropriate to camp in a shop’s car park?? Where are they washing and going to the toilet for goodness sake??

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  3. I agree just ban the Car Rental Tents…. then the problem is resolved. The Madeira Government has abrogated its responsibility.

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  4. I totally agree Stephen The beautiful island of Madeira doesn’t need this sort of tourist.
    There are plenty of hotels for all budgets.

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  6. Easy sort it .the government can stop the company to hire this type of vehicles. But unfortunately in Madeira it s who you know . 😕

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  7. Yes, it’s quite deplorable. No doubt the government will act to outlaw the rental of such vehicles at the earliest opportunity. Given a government with such an unblemished track record it’s inconceivable that anyone in government will have a vested interest in companies that hire out these vehicles, so there should be no problem in banning them, should there?

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    2. Excellent reply! Instead of blaming the campers, walk around the island there is littering everywhere. Recently when walking my dog I found ladies underwear and a used condom on the sidewalk (…) Certainly left by (stealth)campers

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  8. The government motto should be “Just keep bringing in the tourists….It doesn’t matter how “

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  9. This is a terrible shame…..why should I pay to come to Madeira to be faced by these people around every corner and if they haven’t got a car, next to a tree. It defaces the tranquility and beauty of the Island and it should be outlawed by the Government. Easy to do, take their passports away and make arrangements for them to leave our precious island ASAP.

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  10. The tourist scene changed vastly during and since Covid. Whilst most “resorts” locked down Madeira stayed open thus attracting a different class of holidaymaker.

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  11. Uhm ..hello …why doesn’t Madeira have a proper camp site..

    Plenty of space for it

    Locals and tourists to use

    Then those of the snotty kind
    Won’t complain when they see cars with tents on the side roads

    Camping sites all over the world apart from Madeira

    Good business opportunity
    For someone with land

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    2. Yes, hadn’t thought of that – good idea. Far from the madding crowd tho and charge them high, as it will cost a lot to develop land initially and a good fat profit needs to be made thereafter. The powers that be in Madeira could rake in quite a few Euro and fine those who camp otherwise. Pity I don’t own land!

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  12. So sad. We love Madeira and have been visiting for 21 years to our timeshare, and have noticed the changes. Gone are the little cottages to be replaced by huge hotels etc. things have changed so much, including the visitors, some of which abuse the landscape and think it is ok to camp on the side of roads etc. The local people are wonderful, always welcoming and friendly.

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    1. Do you not stay in one of these huge hotels, which the majority of timeshares are? Rather hypocritical.

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  13. What a complete disgrace anyone that see this things happening should take plaque number of the car and send a complain to turism board of Madeira E-mail info.sretc@madeira.gov.pt Phone
    (+351) 291 145 300 and to the Funchal Police Address: R. da Infância 28, 9060-308 Funchal
    Phone: 291 110 000 and GNR Funchal Phone: 291 214 460

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  14. Toooo much advertising about the
    ( add your own compliment😄)Madeira. Maybe should refer to it as “ just another island” and leave the paradise off. Maybe it would keep the creeps and freeloaders away!!!!! Ha!
    Neva ‘appen!

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  17. Is this fake news? Many times this is common practice to air out or maintain rooftop tents. Nothing here shows actual camping. In fact the padding is actually outside leaning on the car. Any other pictures showing actual camping? Any updates from the police since this would definitely be illegal?

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  18. Come on guys give them a break. It sounds like half of all the tourists who come to your beautiful island is sleeping in a tent and are involved in criminal activity😂. Not the right kind of tourists, what attitude is that? I didnt know some people where more special or important than others🤣?! For the tourists who will stop flying to Madeira because of this. Just come here to Sweden, we have thousands of islands (both inhabited and unhabited) free to camp for all. The campers here are mostly behaving well and keep nature clean. Stay calm and enjoy more, life is to short to focus on all thats negative.
    / John

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    2. A sensible reply. Whilst I love Madeira the hypocrisy about the right type of tourists is astounding. As a regular visitor 90% of tourists I meet on the plane and in the streets are respectful people, one of the few places left that doesn’t attract half dressed ,phone addicted drunks. HOWEVER the main situation that shocks me every time and can spoil my stay is the UNSPOKEN huge problem of native drug addicts who openly take drugs in all of the parks,beauty spots,towns ,streets and even outside of my hotel. It’s shocking,widespread and not publicised and far more of a problem than some idiot badly parked in a supermarket.
      A regulated campsite and needing to prove accommodation solves this issue…the main drug/homeless/ anti social problem ignored in favour of blaming a few 100 “bad” tourists.

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  19. I understand, but in the final its all up to politics. And Madeira has potential, but the only spot to camp legally is in jardim do janela (not close to Funchal) or high up in the mountains. People speak about budget alternatives, but there isn’t. I dont mind because i can pay, but for these who cant, it is wrong saying Madeira isn’t for everyone. Where do you live Tobi? I imagine abroad?

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    1. Tobi lives and runs a business on the island, and generously gives up time to run this news blog, for the enjoyment of all with a love of the island.

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  20. This is 100% the problem stemming from the companies that rent out these tents and vehicles. This was not a problem before because there weren’t any companies renting these things. The tourists using them are reserving them from their home countries and are looking for cheap “accommodation”. They don’t know the culture, the laws or the fact that there aren’t places here to park, sleep, cook and use WC facilities. It is the government’s responsibility to pass laws and ban them. But they are getting tax money from the companies that rent them out. No use just complaining. Someday needs to lead a campaign against these things. There must be strict, enforced rules with very heavy fines to stop this in its tracks.

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    1. Dijon
      You are absolutely spot on. I had no idea that people could actually rent at tent & a car. This of course is why there is an atrocious problem like this. Rental companies of this nature are legal so they are going to jump on the bandwagon & make money from tourists. So who do you blame? The government for not banning this practice is of course the entire problem. As long as they turn a blind eye this practice & business will grow

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  21. Is there a law prohibiting camping in uban piblic parking lots? On the streets? Etc? (I’m not defending the practice at all.) But for the police to enforce a law, there first had to BE a law to enforce. Right? I would assume business owners finding human poop in their parking lot would speak up at city council. “This is ruining my business!” What is the law exactly?

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  22. I just want to know what kind of cheap ass would go to this much trouble for their holiday? If they can afford their flight & pay to rent all this gear then surely they can rent a room. I guess next they’ll be setting up a BBQ & cooking needs. For sure they won’t be supporting any restaurants. And then who’s going to clean up all the garbage & feces they leave behind? It is quite disgusting & scary to see someone this inconsiderate & nervy to think they can get away with this. The word must be out “only in Madeira” so why not ?????

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