- Licensing of Tourism Infrastructures
Regional Government organises European meeting on innovation in sport
Berta Cabral highlights Azores' tourism performance at meeting of Strategic Council for Tourism Promotion
Berta Cabral identifica qualidade e mitigação da sazonalidade como prioridades para o turismo nos Açores
The nine islands that make up the Azores Archipelago have distinctively different landscapes and a rich environmental, natural and cultural heritage.
They represent a true paradise for nature-lovers and those who enjoy active holidays. The existing range of activities on offer, which include golf, whale watching, hiking, big game fishing and diving, combined with quality hotels and rural tourism accommodation, facilities for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) and for cruise tourism guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience.
Tea production, the manufacture of cigars, the unique lakes, local cuisine and the friendliness of the local people are just some aspects of the Azores that make it a unique and different place to visit.
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March 3, 2023
Regional Government organises European meeting on innovation in sport
The Regional Secretariat for Health and Spor, through the Regional Directorate for Sport (DRD), is organising "The Islands of Innovation in European Sport," an event that will take place in Ponta Delgada at the University of the Azores between June 5 and 7. This is an annual meeting organised by EPSI - The European Platform for Sport Innovation, of which the Regional Directorate for Sport is a member. The 2023 edition will be hosted by the Autonomous Region of the Azores following a challenge launched by this entity to the Regional Government to bring the theme of innovation in sport to the archipelago. The Regional Directorate for Sport expects about a hundred members from several European countries and regions to take part in this event. For three days, the Azores will promote innovation in sport; the creation of business opportunities for local companies, particularly in the area of nature tourism; the empowerment of economic agents, including sports agents; the convergence of several regional entities with Europe; and also the search for funding opportunities through European-wide projects. Overall, "The Islands of Innovation in European Sport" event aims to highlight the importance of innovation in the context of sport, especially through the particularities of sport and innovation in the Region, as well as to create value in contributing to its development and promoting the cross-sectoral dimension of sport. The event will include several networking moments to bring together synergies so that public policies can be promoted in a joint and coordinated manner, with the aim of addressing existing needs and defining strategies for the development of European-wide projects. The event's programme, which has English as its working language, also includes a tour to the island of São Miguel for participants, showcasing the Region's natural beauty while also exploring its tourism potential. It should be noted that a limited number of places are available for residents interested in participating in this European meeting with special access conditions. Detailed information is available at the email [email protected] or by telephone 295 206 980 (Regional Directorate for Sport), and also on our social media: Facebook Direção Regional do Desporto - Açores | Facebook and Instagram @drdazores. This initiative has as partners the Regional Directorate for Tourism and the Regional Directorate for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness, the University of the Azores, the Municipality of Ponta Delgada and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada. The EPSI is a non-profit European association, headquartered in Brussels, which operates based on a network of members whose focus is innovation in the areas of physical activity, sport, leisure, health and tourism, among others. It comprises 125 members from various European countries and regions. The annual general assembly is held in the region of one of its members.
January 12, 2023
Berta Cabral highlights Azores' tourism performance at meeting of Strategic Council for Tourism Promotion
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, attended the meeting of the Strategic Council for Tourism Promotion, chaired by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services. During the meeting, held on Wednesday in Lisbon, where she was accompanied by the Regional Director for Tourism, Rosa Costa, the government official highlighted the strong commitment of the Regional Government in a sector that has grown, not only in terms of indicators (number of guests, overnight stays, passenger arrivals and overall revenue) but also in terms of flights, surpassing all records in 2022 compared to 2019. According to Berta Cabral, these data are "a clear demonstration of the recovery capacity and resilience of Azorean tourism, the appropriate strategy adopted and the very important role that companies played in this rapid and consistent recovery. "The Azores have quickly recovered from the effects of the pandemic despite being an archipelago that heavily depends on air transport and being at a less consolidated stage in its development than other regions. Together, we have all managed to boost the positioning of the destination and to work on all the variables that were within our reach to demonstrate the safety and quality of the Azores as a tourist destination," she added. Berta Cabral also pointed out "the economic importance of tourism in the Region, given the wide-ranging impact it has, as well as the potential for growth that still exists in the sector on all islands, as shown by the 2022 figures." "The Azores' tourism development and promotion strategy has paid off, as evidenced by the many distinctions we were awarded in 2022 as well as by the performance indicators registered by the sector," added Berta Cabral. The government official explained that this strategy, based on nature tourism, sustainability, adventure and authenticity, will continue, without losing sight of two major challenges: mitigating seasonality and territorial cohesion by diverting tourist flows to all islands. Carlos Morais, President of Visit Azores, also attended the meeting and presented the Region's tourism promotion plan for 2023. The Regional Secretary also added that the specific characteristics of the Azores - an archipelago and outermost region where the impact of insularity is twofold - should be given positive discrimination in the allocation of support for external tourism promotion by Turismo de Portugal (national tourism authority). "What is different cannot be treated in the same way," said Berta Cabral. The Strategic Council for Tourism Promotion is the Portuguese government's advisory body for the external promotion of Portugal as a tourist destination. Furthermore, it is a strategic consultation body between Turismo de Portugal, the Regional Governments of the Azores and Madeira, the Portuguese Confederation of Tourism, and the regional tourism promotion agencies and respective regional tourism entities.