Berta Cabral highlights Azores' commitment to inclusive tourism at BTL 2026 - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, participated this Thursday in the Inclusive Tourism Talk, as part of this year's edition of BTL (Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market), which is taking place at Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre - FIL in Parque das Nações.

In her speech, the government official defended the growing importance of promoting the Azores as an inclusive tourist destination, prepared to welcome all visitors with autonomy, safety and comfort, emphasising that this is the commitment of the Azorean Government.

According to her, inclusive tourism "benefits not only people with disabilities, but also the elderly, families travelling with strollers, people with temporary limitations and caregivers," noting that accessibility is now a determining factor for the quality of the tourist experience and the competitiveness of destinations.

The concept covers areas such as adapted infrastructures (ramps, lifts), accessible communication (Braille, simple language) and specialised services, ensuring that tourist experiences are within everyone's reach.

Key elements such as adapted transport, barrier-free accommodation, beaches, museums and other accessible attractions contribute to full inclusion and, simultaneously, represent an opportunity for economic growth, given the growing demand for universally accessible destinations.

The Regional Secretary also highlighted the work carried out under the Regional Strategy for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, implemented by the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion.

This guiding tool sets priorities and specific actions to eliminate physical, communication and behavioural barriers, promoting equal opportunities in various areas of society, including culture, sport, leisure and, not least, tourism.

Several actions have been implemented in the tourism sector: these included a survey of accessible tourism services, with an audit conducted on approximately 100 tourism facilities and resources in partnership with CRESAÇOR in 2023; reports were also prepared and delivered to the managing entities, identifying areas for improvement; and the information collected was gradually integrated into the Azores Tourism Portal.

The survey is expected to be repeated, subject to budget availability.

Another initiative involves raising awareness and providing training to professionals, with sessions designed to teach tour operators about inclusive practices, namely the "Inclusive Tourism – Hiking" course and the "Inclusive Tourism in Tourist Activities" course.

These training courses provide tools for the development of accessible offers and tourist experiences tailored to the needs of all visitors.

Other actions are under development, such as two accessible/sensory trails: one in Terceira (a 1.6 km route between Lagoa das Patas lake and Falca Plant Nursery) and another in São Miguel (an accessible trail in Lagoa das Furnas lake, approximately 1.5 km long, including sensory pavements and cryptomeria wood structures).

Berta Cabral pointed out that "an accessible destination is a safer and more competitive destination geared towards the future," emphasising that the Azores will continue to invest in inclusion as a strategic pillar of tourism development in the Region.