Alonso Miguel reiterates strategic role of Azores Geopark for sustainable tourism development in the Region - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, participated in a round table discussion promoted by the Azores Geopark on the theme "9 Islands - 1 Geopark: An Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in the Azores," held as part of BTL (Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market) in Lisbon.

The session brought together representatives from various regional entities, including the Regional Directorate for Tourism, the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and GEOAÇORES, the management structure of the Azores Geopark. The debate focused on the role of this classification as a tool for sustainability, territorial cohesion, and balanced development of the nine islands.

The government official pointed out “the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of the Azores, which sets the Region apart, enhances its value and raises its profile abroad.” He added that “this wealth has earned us profound international recognition, reflected in the awarding of numerous prizes and designations, including the inclusion of the Azores Geopark in UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network in 2015.”

"All these distinctions strengthen a brand image of sustainability, which is increasingly sought after and valuable, representing an extraordinary tourist asset and a catalyst for the economic and social development of the Region," he said.

Alonso Miguel also highlighted "the uniqueness of the Azores Geopark on the international scene, as a geopark covering an archipelago spread across nine islands and the surrounding seabed, with enormous diversity and geological wealth, comprising 122 geosites, including seven of international importance."

The Regional Secretary added that "beyond its importance from a natural, social and cultural standpoint, and its contribution to scientific research and environmental education, the Azores Geopark is also a significant tourist asset that promotes the image of the Region."

"It is, in fact, a special geopark. It requires an integrated and coherent approach, along with sound management, to reinforce the unity of the territory, consolidate its common identity, and enhance its national and international positioning, he emphasised.

The Regional Secretary recalled that the Regional Government's commitment to the Geopark became particularly evident in 2022, when the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action took over the presidency of GEOAÇORES, following UNESCO's recommendations based on an assessment covering the 2017-2021 period, which resulted in a "yellow card."

"This strategic and operational reinforcement made it possible to recover UNESCO's 'green card,' ensuring the maintenance of international status for another four years. This is a clear sign of the Regional Government's commitment and recognition of the Geopark's central role in the archipelago's environmental and territorial strategy," he said.

Alonso Miguel stressed that ‘the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action has ensured a firm commitment to the Azores Geopark, both on a political and operational level." In this regard, he recalled that "the environmental department guarantees the financial sustainability of GEOAÇORES each year, through a programme contract ensuring stability, predictability and implementation capacity."

In addition to financing, the governemnt official also highlighted "the allocation of human resources across all islands, through a cooperation protocol, constant coordination with the Island Nature Parks and the collaboration of nature rangers to ensure the monitoring of geosites." He also mentioned "the scientific reinforcement ensured by the direct link between the coordination of the Geopark and the geoconservation area of the environmental department itself, guaranteeing a permanent presence in the territory, technical rigour in monitoring and alignment with UNESCO's international criteria."

The Regional Secretary emphasised "the importance of integrating the Azores Geopark island services into the environmental interpretation centres managed by the Region, bringing the community and visitors closer to the archipelago's geological and cultural heritage." In this context, he highlighted that "the renovation and updating of contents have bolstered the educational role of these centres,  contributing to a greater understanding of the geodiversity of the Azores."

Alonso Miguel also recalled that the integration of the Azores Geopark educational programme (PEGAz) into the School Environmental Awareness Activities Offer (OASAE), made available annually to all regional schools, provides an important contribution to environmental literacy, particularly regarding the importance of geological heritage and territorial resilience.

"The Azores Geopark should be regarded as a practical and active platform for sustainable development, capable of promoting environmental literacy, improving the tourism offer, diversifying demand, improving visitor flow distribution and strengthening territorial identity," he said.

The government official added that "the future of the Geopark depends on a clear strategy, based on scientific knowledge, proximity to communities and the ability to consolidate a vision that transcends political cycles, ensuring stability, continuity and a permanent presence in the territory."

The Regional Secretary concluded by stating that “the Regional Government will continue to provide leadership, vision and technical support to the Azores Geopark, strengthening its role as a pillar of regional sustainability, the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and cohesion among the nine islands.”