The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated this morning that the Azores Geopark has raised "the sustainability standards" of the Region as Tourist Destination, highlighting the importance of our "unique geological heritage and international relevance," with the active involvement of local communities in a sustainable development strategy.
 
"The Government of the Azores has been supporting this project, namely the Azores Geopark Association: The latter closely works with Island Natural Parks and Azorina to intensify environmental education for geoconservation and promotion of sustainable geotourism," stressed Marta Guerreiro. She spoke this morning in Ponta Delgada at the opening session of the 14th Conference of European Geoparks that runs until Sunday.
 
With regard to the 121 geosites identified in the archipelago, the Regional Secretary highlighted the volcanoes, craters, lakes, fumaroles, thermal springs, "fajãs" (geological formations), among many others, as "elements that characterise the geological heritage of the Region." Furthermore, they are also regarded as aspects that stimulate "a wide range of emotions emerging from magnificent landscapes which, combined to the flora, fauna and traditional cultural activities, can render any tourist's visit to the archipelago unique and unforgettable."
 
According to the government official, "the importance of these measures of sustainability for the benefit of the Azores Destination is reinforced in the Strategic and Marketing Plan of the Azores Tourism (PEMTA). This document defines strategic guidelines for the reinforcement and development of our tourism activity in order to turn it into a sustainable sector capable of managing wealth as well as preserving and creating jobs."
 
In her speech, Marta Guerreiro added that, in addition to PEMTA, the revision of the Tourism Management Plan of the Autonomous Region of the Azores will be completed during the next year.
 
"With these two documents, which are complementary to each other, the Autonomous Region of the Azores will be endowed with the necessary strategic and planning tools to respond to many challenges arising in this area. They include the definition of accommodation units, the burden of visitors in certain areas of the archipelago and the specific tourism offer provided by each island," said the Secretary for the Environment and Tourism.
 
Marta Guerreiro called for the "indispensable contribution" of all public and private entities working in this area, noting that they intend to "be guiding and regulatory instruments that allow Tourism to increasingly become a pillar of regional economy through policies that ensure their economic and environmental sustainability.”