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Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Berta Cabral says there is already new model for maritime transport in the Azores
Berta Cabral says there is already new model for maritime transport in the Azores
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"
February 2, 2026
Berta Cabral says there is already new model for maritime transport in the Azores
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"
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Nota de Imprensa
February 2, 2026
Berta Cabral says there is already new model for maritime transport in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, stated on Friday that a new model for maritime freight transport in the Azores is already in operation, following a study commissioned by the Government. The government official spoke at the closing session of the Transport Seminar "Maritime Transport: Impact on the Azorean Economy," promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. "We have conducted a pragmatic study, which focused on practical issues, and immediately moved on to implementing a new model. Today, we already have tangible results, such as weekly services on all islands, more port equipment, and adjustments to port operations," stated the government official. She added: “We have already implemented scenario 2 and are now moving progressively and safely towards the optimised mixed scenario.” The Regional Secretary also stated that maritime transport, especially freight transport, “is one of the structural pillars of the economy, territorial cohesion and the regular functioning of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.” Berta Cabral pointed out, however, that this is "one of the most complex issues in regional governance, as there are no magic solutions and there can never be any disruptions jeopardising public supply." The government official also stressed that, in an "dispersed and remote archipelago subject to permanent natural constraints," the maritime transport of goods goes far beyond a mere logistical operation. She added: "It is an essential and crucial service for supplying the islands, boosting the competitiveness of businesses, controlling context costs and ensuring the stability of the internal market." The Regional Secretary recalled that, for many years, this sector faced "irregular schedules, disparities in service between islands, lack of predictability, operational constraints and a model that did not always respond to the real needs of the regional economy." For this reason, the Regional Government has brought about a structural change in the maritime freight transport model, "which is experiencing growing pains and can never jeopardise the service or supply of any island." Throughout this process, she stressed, the Government "has never compromised on basic principles such as frequency, predictability, balanced territorial coverage and operational efficiency." The Regional Secretary took the opportunity to publicly thank the Independent Technical Commission, composed of João Carvalho, Ribeiro Pinto and Francisco Silva, for their professional, dedicated and impartial monitoring throughout the study. "In recent years, we have moved forward with a quiet but assertive reorganisation, without causing disruption and favouring safe and progressive evolution," she added. According to the government official, the increased frequency achieved enabled companies to ‘better plan their activities, reduce stock shortages, optimise supply chains, reduce indirect costs associated with logistical uncertainty and enhance the value of endogenous production." At the same time, the Regional Government has made strategic investments in modernising port infrastructures, equipment and operating conditions. "We have made up for historical delays, boosted the installed capacity and created better conditions for efficiency, safety and reliability in freight transport," she said. According to Berta Cabral, the Regional Port Authorities have invested more than €27 million in equipment since 2021, with more than €63 million currently underway and planned until 2028, including another two tugboats. Regarding port infrastructures, investments in the same period surpassed €201 million, with more than €316 million underway and planned until the end of 2028. Berta Cabral also highlighted the strengthening of coordination between the various public and private stakeholders. In this regard, she emphasised the "path of structural organisation of port operations, with the appropriate separation of duties between the Regional Port Authorities and other players in the sector, as well as greater coordination and optimisation of available resources." She recalled that the preliminary process leading to the sale of public holdings in the companies OperPDL, OperTER and OperTRI is currently underway. Furthermore, she pointed out that it is also important to improve the coordination of local traffic with national and international logistics chains. "This factor is particularly relevant for export sectors and companies depending on imported raw materials," she said. "Today, we have more vessels, more links, greater predictability, better operational efficiency and greater responsiveness to the needs of our populations. We are reducing disparities between islands and contributing to greater territorial cohesion," she also stated. Regarding maritime passenger transport, Berta Cabral highlighted the recovery of Atlânticoline, "now a healthy company and an example for the entire public business sector in the Azores." She also noted the consolidation of the model based on public service obligations, ensuring inter-island mobility with predictability, financial responsibility, and adequacy to actual demand. Berta Cabral reiterated the Regional Government's commitment to regard maritime transport as "an integrated public policy, where logistics, economy, territorial cohesion and sustainability run side by side." "We will continue to invest where it is strategic, adjust the model whenever necessary and work closely with operators, chambers of commerce and economic agents," she concluded.
February 2, 2026
Berta Cabral says there is already new model for maritime transport in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, stated on Friday that a new model for maritime freight transport in the Azores is already in operation, following a study commissioned by the Government. The government official spoke at the closing session of the Transport Seminar "Maritime Transport: Impact on the Azorean Economy," promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. "We have conducted a pragmatic study, which focused on practical issues, and immediately moved on to implementing a new model. Today, we already have tangible results, such as weekly services on all islands, more port equipment, and adjustments to port operations," stated the government official. She added: “We have already implemented scenario 2 and are now moving progressively and safely towards the optimised mixed scenario.” The Regional Secretary also stated that maritime transport, especially freight transport, “is one of the structural pillars of the economy, territorial cohesion and the regular functioning of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.” Berta Cabral pointed out, however, that this is "one of the most complex issues in regional governance, as there are no magic solutions and there can never be any disruptions jeopardising public supply." The government official also stressed that, in an "dispersed and remote archipelago subject to permanent natural constraints," the maritime transport of goods goes far beyond a mere logistical operation. She added: "It is an essential and crucial service for supplying the islands, boosting the competitiveness of businesses, controlling context costs and ensuring the stability of the internal market." The Regional Secretary recalled that, for many years, this sector faced "irregular schedules, disparities in service between islands, lack of predictability, operational constraints and a model that did not always respond to the real needs of the regional economy." For this reason, the Regional Government has brought about a structural change in the maritime freight transport model, "which is experiencing growing pains and can never jeopardise the service or supply of any island." Throughout this process, she stressed, the Government "has never compromised on basic principles such as frequency, predictability, balanced territorial coverage and operational efficiency." The Regional Secretary took the opportunity to publicly thank the Independent Technical Commission, composed of João Carvalho, Ribeiro Pinto and Francisco Silva, for their professional, dedicated and impartial monitoring throughout the study. "In recent years, we have moved forward with a quiet but assertive reorganisation, without causing disruption and favouring safe and progressive evolution," she added. According to the government official, the increased frequency achieved enabled companies to ‘better plan their activities, reduce stock shortages, optimise supply chains, reduce indirect costs associated with logistical uncertainty and enhance the value of endogenous production." At the same time, the Regional Government has made strategic investments in modernising port infrastructures, equipment and operating conditions. "We have made up for historical delays, boosted the installed capacity and created better conditions for efficiency, safety and reliability in freight transport," she said. According to Berta Cabral, the Regional Port Authorities have invested more than €27 million in equipment since 2021, with more than €63 million currently underway and planned until 2028, including another two tugboats. Regarding port infrastructures, investments in the same period surpassed €201 million, with more than €316 million underway and planned until the end of 2028. Berta Cabral also highlighted the strengthening of coordination between the various public and private stakeholders. In this regard, she emphasised the "path of structural organisation of port operations, with the appropriate separation of duties between the Regional Port Authorities and other players in the sector, as well as greater coordination and optimisation of available resources." She recalled that the preliminary process leading to the sale of public holdings in the companies OperPDL, OperTER and OperTRI is currently underway. Furthermore, she pointed out that it is also important to improve the coordination of local traffic with national and international logistics chains. "This factor is particularly relevant for export sectors and companies depending on imported raw materials," she said. "Today, we have more vessels, more links, greater predictability, better operational efficiency and greater responsiveness to the needs of our populations. We are reducing disparities between islands and contributing to greater territorial cohesion," she also stated. Regarding maritime passenger transport, Berta Cabral highlighted the recovery of Atlânticoline, "now a healthy company and an example for the entire public business sector in the Azores." She also noted the consolidation of the model based on public service obligations, ensuring inter-island mobility with predictability, financial responsibility, and adequacy to actual demand. Berta Cabral reiterated the Regional Government's commitment to regard maritime transport as "an integrated public policy, where logistics, economy, territorial cohesion and sustainability run side by side." "We will continue to invest where it is strategic, adjust the model whenever necessary and work closely with operators, chambers of commerce and economic agents," she concluded.
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."