APECATE Congress and new edition of Azores Trails Fest take place in early April on Terceira Island - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

In the first week of April, Terceira Island will host two important events that will bring hundreds of national and international experts in nature tourism to the Region: the congress of the Portuguese Association of Congress, Tourism Promotion and Event Companies (APECATE) and the new edition of Azores Trails Fest.

The announcement was made by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures during BTL 2025, before regional entrepreneurs and specialised journalists, and through the President of APECATE, António Marques Vidal, and the Regional Director for Tourism, Rosa Costa.

The 13th edition of the APECATE Congress, which will take place on April 3 and 4, consists of three panels. The first will give voice to tourism players, the second will look at ways of achieving certification and sustainability, and the third will debate the organisation and structuring of the congress and events sector. 

A fourth panel will close this congress, during which the importance and creation of dynamics through hiking festivals will be debated, thus making the transition to Azores Trails Fest, the largest event of its kind in the Azores.

The Azores Trails Fest, to be held from April 4 to 6, is considered extremely important for the sector, as it involves public entities and the entire tourist trade, and promotes the regional network of hiking trails.

This festival establishes the Azores on the international scene as a benchmark in active nature tourism experiences and the creation of anchoring events based on sustainability and the combination of natural and cultural heritage.

The 3rd edition of the Azores Trails Fest kicks off with a night walk on April 4, followed by the Rocha do Chambre and Ribeira da Agualva trails. It ends with a cultural urban trail paying tribute to Vitorino Nemésio in Praia da Vitória.

On April 6, the gastronomic component will be particularly relevant due to the São Sebastião Fort Trail. It ends in the centre of the parish, where participants will be welcomed with a lunch celebrating the Holy Spirit Festivities.

The Regional Network of Hiking Trails is constantly evolving. It already has 96 approved hiking trails, totalling 838 km signposted with internationally recognised marks and codes that ensure safety conditions for hikers and environmental protection in the areas where they are located.