Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, still remembers those days he was in the Algarve, while Monchique was burning. The charismatic leader of the Irish airline lived, in the first person, the great tragedy of 2018 and that was one of the reasons that led him to want Ryanair to help reforest Monchique. The first step was taken this Tuesday, October 22, with the planting of an oak tree, but, in total, there will be 75 thousand new trees, spread throughout the mountains, under this program.
Indigenous species such as chestnut (Castanea sativa), strawberry trees (Arbutus united) and Monchique oaks (Quercus canariensis) will be planted over 250 hectares. A small portion of the 27 that burned in that mountain, but still important.
In a symbolic ceremony, Ryanair went up to Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve (902 meters), to deliver a check for 250 euros, money resulting from passenger donations, as part of the airline's initiative to Compensate Carbon Emissions , to help renaturalize the Monchique mountains.
“This is a very important day for us and for our customers. The Algarve is crucial for us and we are aware of the need to protect the environment and invest some of our profits”, began by saying Michael O'Leary.
Because, despite being well known for its beaches and coastline, the Algarve has other offers that attract tourists. "Our customers come to the region also for nature tourism, an area in which Monchique is strong", considered the CEO of the Irish airline.
The project is the result of a partnership that brings together, in addition to Ryanair, the Municipality of Monchique, the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation, the Algarve Tourism Region and GEOTA – Spatial Planning and Environment Study Group.
«This partnership, between all these entities, is one of the keys to our social responsibility project. We want to work with these partners to restore this area. This is a really important project», added the CEO of Ryanair.
For Rui André, the presence of the Irish airline is crucial. “I would like to thank Ryanair very much and it is important, in the future, that your company continues to be our partner, promoting our products,” said the Mayor of Monchique, addressing O'Leary.
And, after the tragedy, the calm may come.
“The sad episode of 2018 is an opportunity to rethink the future and redesign our landscape. Above all, trying to find the balance that existed in ancient times. It's a difficult job, but I'm sure we'll make it with Ryanair's help too», added the mayor.
In turn, João Fernandes, president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), told how it was Ryanair who contacted RTA to participate, after the first project “Revitalize Monchique”, designed by the tourism entity.
"The first feedback it was like: how is it that you have everything planned?”, recalled João Fernandes.
“That happened because we didn't get stuck in difficulties. Tourism can be an inducer of territorial development, helping to resolve crises», he added.
According to the president of RTA, there is already interest from other operators to participate in similar projects.
For her part, Marlene Marques, president of GEOTA, welcomed Ryanair's support for this initiative, which will help «restore cultural landscapes in this area, an important national and international tourist destination».
Ryanair, airline low cost Irish, recently announced its intention to lay off 100 workers from its base in Faro, this after having initially stated that he would close the hub in the Algarve capital.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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