Revenue from the tourist tax was 164 thousand euros, in 2022, the first year in which it came into force, and 207 thousand euros, in 2023, explained the ICNF, questioned by Lusa agency.

Last year, the Berlengas Natural Reserve, in the district of Leiria, was visited by 77,586 people, according to the ICNF, referring to the 'online' registration of visitors, through the 'Berlengapass' platform, which was implemented in the same year.

'Berlengapass' is the online platform (https://berlengaspass.icnf.pt/) that allows tourists to book their visit and pay the respective cost, which includes the visitation fee.

According to the ICNF, the balance of the two measures (tourist tax and ‘Berlengapass’) “is positive”, since “it allows the number of users to be counted and their carrying capacity to be controlled”.

Hence, explained the ICNF, “environmental benefits arise in the sense that, by reducing human pressure, the degradation of habitats is halted”.

The revenue from the tourist tax, according to the law, must be “preferably allocated to the promotion of valorization measures”, which are foreseen in the co-management plan and must be coordinated between the various entities involved in this management.

The reserve co-management plan was approved in December 2023, explained the ICNF.

The plan foresees an investment of 200 thousand euros to improve visiting conditions, namely in improving routes, monitoring, and studies to improve the safety conditions of the cliffs of Carreiro do Mosteiro and the beach.

The ICNF is “in the final stages of preparing a protocol to be signed with the Municipal Council of Peniche”, with the aim of allocating “predictably around 60% of the revenue from fees” to implement the recovery measures provided for in the co-management plan.

The remaining revenues, borne by the ICNF, will be applied to sanitation works, waste management and water supply for public use, implementation of sustainable electricity supply alternatives, and improvements to existing infrastructure at the Carreiro do Mosteiro pier, considered priority projects.

In 2022, visitors to Berlengas Island started paying a tourist tax of three euros per day, half of which is for children and young people between 6 and 18 years old and for those over 65.

The island of Berlenga has a daily limit of 550 visitors at the same time, established by ordinance, to minimise the effects of tourism on species and sensitive natural habitats, taking into account the small terrestrial size of the archipelago.

The archipelago was classified in 2011 as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), has had natural reserve status since 1981, has been a Natura 2000 Site since 1997, and has been classified as a Protection Zone Special for Wild Birds in 1999.