According to the vice-president of the Council, Miguel Gavinhos, “there is a very high demand for this region at this time of the year”, and the economic impact of the influx of tourists to the area represents €2 million.

“The economic impact is not exclusive to cherry blossom trees, but it naturally has this lever”, said Miguel Gavinhos, speaking to Lusa agency.

The vice-president of the municipality highlighted that the municipality of Fundão produces more than 60% of the national cherry and that the program related to cherry blossom trees “opens the period linked to cherry promotion”.

“It has a large tourist dimension for the municipality of Fundão. It is the moment when spring begins and when the slopes of the Gardunha mountain range and the rest of Cova da Beira are painted white”, highlighted Miguel Gavinhos.

The mayor reinforced that the tourist offer is associated with what “the natural landscape” has to offer and that, through the planned programs, it “can be enjoyed” in various ways.

The vice-president of the municipality adds that 550 people have already registered for some of the scheduled activities and, in addition to formal activities, “there will be individual initiatives” from visitors during this period.

“People are attracted by this spectacle of nature and this natural effect”, highlighted Miguel Gavinhos.

Credits: Instagram; Author: @gatovadiotravelblog;

To enjoy the landscape, visitors can take a train next to the orchards, have picnics near the cherry trees, purchasing baskets with regional products, take bicycle tours, which can be rented at the Tourist Office, ride around the white landscape in a 'tuk tuk' or sponsor a tree.

The “Cherry Trees in Bloom” photography competition or the “Cherry Trees in Bloom” Athletics Grand Prix, which brings together hundreds of athletes and participants, are other proposals from the municipality.

“Every year, nature presents us with a unique landscape when the cherry blossom trees paint the Gardunha mountain range white”, highlights the municipality, in a statement sent to Lusa agency.