AS PREDICTED in The Resident, the Allgarve tourism campaign, due to be launched in London on Wednesday May 16, has been postponed.
Chelsea Football Club Manager, José Mourinho, and Manchester United star, Cristiano Ronaldo, were the stars lined up for the presentation, however, due to the disappearance of Madeleline McCann in Praia da Luz on May 3, organisers chose to call the event off.
Minister for the Economy, Manuel Pinho, believes it was a “sensible decision”, due to the concern felt by everyone about the disappearance of the little English girl in Praia da Luz.
“We have been following the situation and have been in daily contact with the authorities,” said Pinho. The Minister for the Economy believes that the disappearance of the child will not have a negative impact on Portugal’s tourism image. “Portugal is one of the safest destinations in Europe and this image will be maintained,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, José Dias, vice president of the Algarve Tourism Board, has said the postponement was a mistake. Dias pointed out that the event represented the ideal opportunity to provide explanations and to call for the return of Madeleine McCann to her parents.
The Allgarve programme includes campaigns in various cities. Despite the postponement of the activities in London, launches are going ahead elsewhere with an event scheduled in Cannes yesterday, May 17, and further launches scheduled in Madrid on May 23 and Moscow on May 28.
A total of three million euros is being spent on the Allgarve project.
