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Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Berta Cabral highlights decisive role of Local Accommodation in critical transition phase of Azores destination
Berta Cabral highlights decisive role of Local Accommodation in critical transition phase of Azores destination
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
"Regional and National Governments collaborate on new regulations for regional electricity system"
"Regional and National Governments collaborate on new regulations for regional electricity system"
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Press release
Press release
January 30, 2026
Berta Cabral highlights decisive role of Local Accommodation in critical transition phase of Azores destination
January 23, 2026
"Regional and National Governments collaborate on new regulations for regional electricity system"
January 21, 2026
Press release
News
Nota de Imprensa
January 30, 2026
Berta Cabral highlights decisive role of Local Accommodation in critical transition phase of Azores destination
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures stated today on Pico Island that Local Accommodation (AL) "plays an absolutely decisive role in the Azores" and was "crucial during a critical phase of transition for the destination," emphasising that this contribution "cannot be overlooked." Berta Cabral spoke at the opening session of the 4th Azores Local Accommodation Meeting, held at the Madalena Auditorium, where she highlighted that this segment has made it possible to "respond to demand, raise the quality of the offer, diversify experiences and, above all, bring tourism to all the islands, throughout the territory and throughout the year." In a recorded speech, the government official emphasised that Local Accommodation has established itself as "a true tool for democratising income, renovating buildings, creating jobs and self-employment, retaining people and ensuring a balanced distribution of tourist flows, including in rural and more peripheral areas." According to Berta Cabral, this sector also has "a very significant multiplier effect on the regional economy," contributing to the emergence of new businesses and companies linked to tourism. The Regional Secretary acknowledged, however, that the sector is now entering "a new phase of tourism in the Azores," marked by internal and external factors that also affect Local Accommodation. "It is a phase that requires maturity, strategic reflection and adaptability," she said. Although tourism continues to grow in the Region — with the Azores being the region registering the highest relative growth between 2023 and 2025, namely in terms of revenue — Berta Cabral considered it positive that the increase was more significant in revenue than in overnight stays, as it means "more value generated in the destination." Nevertheless, she warned that "it would be irresponsible to ignore the signs of adjustment in demand that were already felt in 2025," which "require close monitoring." The government official pointed out "profound changes in the international context" as the main causes, namely geopolitical instability and changes in consumption and travel patterns, especially in the United States and European markets. Given the remote, fragmented and outermost nature of the Azores, Berta Cabral considered it essential to "ensure the competitiveness of the destination," with particular attention to critical factors such as price, quality, expectation management and tourism positioning. The Regional Secretary also defended the importance of preserving a positive external image of the destination, countering "simplistic narratives, whether of massification - when it does not exist - or of crisis, when normal market adjustments are taking place." Despite the challenges, the government official pointed out that the new context also creates opportunities and defended that the evolution of Local Accommodation, like the tourist destination as a whole, must be "sustainable, sustained and oriented towards quality, perceived value and the credibility of the offer." "We must all ensure a balance between the territory, installed capacity, demand, the evolution of supply and our external image," she said, adding that the Azorean Government is preparing initiatives to strengthen collaborative work with the sector in response to this new phase in the destination's life cycle. Berta Cabral ended by stressing that "the future of tourism in the Azores will be built on dialogue, responsibility and cooperation," reiterating that "local accommodation will continue to be an essential part of this process."
January 30, 2026
Berta Cabral highlights decisive role of Local Accommodation in critical transition phase of Azores destination
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures stated today on Pico Island that Local Accommodation (AL) "plays an absolutely decisive role in the Azores" and was "crucial during a critical phase of transition for the destination," emphasising that this contribution "cannot be overlooked." Berta Cabral spoke at the opening session of the 4th Azores Local Accommodation Meeting, held at the Madalena Auditorium, where she highlighted that this segment has made it possible to "respond to demand, raise the quality of the offer, diversify experiences and, above all, bring tourism to all the islands, throughout the territory and throughout the year." In a recorded speech, the government official emphasised that Local Accommodation has established itself as "a true tool for democratising income, renovating buildings, creating jobs and self-employment, retaining people and ensuring a balanced distribution of tourist flows, including in rural and more peripheral areas." According to Berta Cabral, this sector also has "a very significant multiplier effect on the regional economy," contributing to the emergence of new businesses and companies linked to tourism. The Regional Secretary acknowledged, however, that the sector is now entering "a new phase of tourism in the Azores," marked by internal and external factors that also affect Local Accommodation. "It is a phase that requires maturity, strategic reflection and adaptability," she said. Although tourism continues to grow in the Region — with the Azores being the region registering the highest relative growth between 2023 and 2025, namely in terms of revenue — Berta Cabral considered it positive that the increase was more significant in revenue than in overnight stays, as it means "more value generated in the destination." Nevertheless, she warned that "it would be irresponsible to ignore the signs of adjustment in demand that were already felt in 2025," which "require close monitoring." The government official pointed out "profound changes in the international context" as the main causes, namely geopolitical instability and changes in consumption and travel patterns, especially in the United States and European markets. Given the remote, fragmented and outermost nature of the Azores, Berta Cabral considered it essential to "ensure the competitiveness of the destination," with particular attention to critical factors such as price, quality, expectation management and tourism positioning. The Regional Secretary also defended the importance of preserving a positive external image of the destination, countering "simplistic narratives, whether of massification - when it does not exist - or of crisis, when normal market adjustments are taking place." Despite the challenges, the government official pointed out that the new context also creates opportunities and defended that the evolution of Local Accommodation, like the tourist destination as a whole, must be "sustainable, sustained and oriented towards quality, perceived value and the credibility of the offer." "We must all ensure a balance between the territory, installed capacity, demand, the evolution of supply and our external image," she said, adding that the Azorean Government is preparing initiatives to strengthen collaborative work with the sector in response to this new phase in the destination's life cycle. Berta Cabral ended by stressing that "the future of tourism in the Azores will be built on dialogue, responsibility and cooperation," reiterating that "local accommodation will continue to be an essential part of this process."
Nota de Imprensa
January 23, 2026
"Regional and National Governments collaborate on new regulations for regional electricity system"
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, met on Wednesday with the Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Jean Barroca, in Lisbon, to discuss the organisation of the regional electricity system. The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat headed by Berta Cabral, is working on the new organisation and operation of the Region's electricity system in conjunction with the National Government. It is a system adapted to the regional reality of the national and European framework, complying with the European directive on the internal market for electricity. Berta Cabral emphasised that the work in progress aims to adapt national law to the Region. She explained: "In this regard, we have to draw up all regulations in coordination with the national system." The meeting with the Secretary of State "served to establish dialogue between the Directorate-General for Energy and the Regional Directorate for Energy to proceed with the respective regulations," added the government official. It should be noted that the Government legislation regulating the regional electricity system was approved by the Azorean Parliament last December and is expected to be implemented within six months. In addition, it must take into consideration several specific aspects regarding the licensing of investment intentions for independent production from renewable energy sources that are currently pending.
January 23, 2026
"Regional and National Governments collaborate on new regulations for regional electricity system"
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, met on Wednesday with the Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Jean Barroca, in Lisbon, to discuss the organisation of the regional electricity system. The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat headed by Berta Cabral, is working on the new organisation and operation of the Region's electricity system in conjunction with the National Government. It is a system adapted to the regional reality of the national and European framework, complying with the European directive on the internal market for electricity. Berta Cabral emphasised that the work in progress aims to adapt national law to the Region. She explained: "In this regard, we have to draw up all regulations in coordination with the national system." The meeting with the Secretary of State "served to establish dialogue between the Directorate-General for Energy and the Regional Directorate for Energy to proceed with the respective regulations," added the government official. It should be noted that the Government legislation regulating the regional electricity system was approved by the Azorean Parliament last December and is expected to be implemented within six months. In addition, it must take into consideration several specific aspects regarding the licensing of investment intentions for independent production from renewable energy sources that are currently pending.