The Azores Experience a Golden Era in Tourism

The Azores region is currently experiencing record-breaking tourism numbers, as stated by José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, at the BTL – Better Tourism Lisbon event.

Sustainable Growth

During the event, significant presentations highlighted the region's commitment to environmental, social, economic, and cultural sustainability. The certification of products and services has been crucial for the growth of the sector, which significantly boosts the local economy.

Year-Round Tourism Initiative

Aiming to extend this golden period across the archipelago, the project ‘Açores – Tourism All Year Round and in All Islands’ is underway. Berta Cabral, Regional Secretary for Tourism, emphasized the importance of decentralizing visits and reducing seasonality by offering attractive options across all islands.

Boosting Connectivity

The ‘Tarifa Açores’ initiative has greatly contributed to tourism growth, encouraging locals to explore their own islands. Currently, 12 international airlines operate flights to the islands, and national carriers TAP and SATA have increased their flight frequencies.

Diverse Attractions

The Azores boasts a remarkable range of offerings in adventure tourism, nature, wellness, and gastronomy, making it an attractive destination year-round. In the past year, the archipelago recorded over 4.2 million overnight stays and generated more than €200 million in revenue, all while being recognized as a ‘Sustainable Destination’.

Cultural Initiatives

The upcoming ‘Ponta Delgada - Capital of Portuguese Culture’ in 2026 and the establishment of the ‘First Bio-Region of the Azores’ were also major highlights. This initiative aims to create new audiences, particularly among younger generations, with a significant investment of €5 million to enhance cultural and tourism activities throughout the year.

The Triangle Islands (São Jorge, Pico, and Faial) are set to become the first ‘Bio-Region of the Azores’, further solidifying their status as a sustainable region. This recognition is expected to draw millions of tourists who value authenticity and genuine experiences.