Berta Cabral says "everyone is key player" in debate on tourism development in the Azores - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures stated in Madalena do Pico that the Azores Regional Tourism Meeting "is a privileged meeting point for the entire regional trade," promoting the right opportunities and conditions to reduce distances and facilitate debate on tourism development in the Region, where everyone is a key player.

Berta Cabral spoke at the opening session of the Regional Tourism Meeting of the Azores 2023, which she chaired. On the occasion, she emphasised that holding the event on Pico Island reflects the fact that this island is "one of the references for the success of tourism in the Azores, presenting a differentiated product, with ever more added value and one that has been able to harness its main resources."

In this initiative promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral stated that "the island of Pico is an example of the innovative endeavour of our tourism entrepreneurs, but also of an entrepreneurial mindset that is based on a positive spirit and the systematic search for solutions."

"Pico is now a destination of choice when travelling to the Azores. It has achieved a unique positioning in terms of regional value and can almost afford to choose its visitors. Our vision for the future of tourism in the Azores is based on examples like these. Examples that boost the capacity to create and sustain economic and social value, which ends up emerging in a very positive and natural way," she emphasised.

The government official stressed that, currently, what is at stake is the widespread recognition of tourism as a determining factor in the development of the Azores, a factor that "increasingly entails the responsibility of actively contributing to the sustainability of a new development model and to the well-being of all the communities in the region."

In this regard, she pointed out the importance of the new Strategic and Marketing Plan for Tourism in the Azores, which takes sustainability as the key pillar of the development of the sector with four strategic goals: international consolidation as a sustainable tourist destination; mitigation of seasonality and distribution of tourist flows; increased quality standards; creation of more value and greater awareness among tourists.

Berta Cabral reiterated that the mitigation of seasonality is a "major priority." It is, therefore, necessary to "successively move towards a better distribution of demand throughout the year, seeking to mitigate the imbalances and inefficiencies caused by seasonal fluctuations, which result in the well-known constraints for companies and workers in the sector."

The government official took the opportunity to emphasise the efforts undertaken by Visit Azores, with the creation of new partnerships, "invisible as well as the invisible and dedicated efforts to stimulate the emergence of alternatives to the changes in the operations of airlines such as Ryanair."

In fact, Azores Airlines and TAP are already making various adjustments to their operations to seize the opportunity created by Ryanair in terms of flight connections."

Berta Cabral also recalled the operations of international airlines, such as Iberia, which are expanding to longer periods of the year, already reaching the extremes of the IATA winter, in addition to the development of new routes by Azores Airlines.

In 2024, the Azores will have more connections with the outside world with more frequencies and increased diversification of air operators than in the current year.

Berta Cabral reiterated that the proposed Regional Annual Plan for 2024 includes 19 million Euros for tourism development (an increase in investment in tourism of 41.5% compared to 2023), highlighting the growth in tourism promotion, which will receive more than 14 million Euros.

The investment proposal for 2024 is the first to be based on the guidelines of the new PEMTA 2030 and, therefore, includes a greater focus on the development of our tourism products and the consolidation of our identity.

"Our ambition is to increasingly be a reference in terms of nature tourism, striving for excellence in experiences in our nature both on land and at sea, but also in the promotion of our human nature," she said.

The Regional Secretary also mentioned the implementation of the first Integrated Network of Nature and Adventure Activities, which will combine various activities such as hiking trails, birdwatching, cycling and canyoning. As she added, preparations are already underway for the implementation of the first major hiking routes in Pico and São Miguel, taking visitors to more places on these islands.

In terms of cultural tourism, three new thematic routes on Industrial Tourism, Maritime Expansion and Military Tourism are being developed, in addition to the existing Whaling, Vineyards and Volcanoes routes.

Special emphasis should also be given to new initiatives and specific actions related to wellbeing tourism as well as gastronomic and wine tourism, without forgetting that we will continue our strategy to attract smaller and more sustainable expedition cruises, which greatly enhance our external image.

According to the government official, having year-round tourism on all the islands is not just a buzzword, but rather a mission that has been "firmly" defined. 

She added: "we know what this means for progress and prosperity throughout the Region."

"It is essential to note that there is still plenty of room for growth on all Azorean islands and that none of them show any signs of massification or unsustainable tourism," she emphasised.

Berta Cabral also offered a special word for the regional entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, as they make a significant contribution to increasing employment and wealth generation in the Region.

"We are managing success, which still has plenty of room for growth and wealth to generate. Our entrepreneurs have greatly contributed to this happy reality," he concluded.