The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated that the Regional Government is "setting a crucial position in the management of Landscape policies," highlighting, as example, the fact that Pico Vineyeard Culture Landscape won the 2018 National Landscape Award.
 
"With these public policies of territorial scope, we take firm steps in the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage, while investing in sustained development," said Marta Guerreiro. In this regard, she explained that "various land planning and management mechanisms have been developed over the course of two decades, with special emphasis on sensitive areas."
 
The government official spoke at the prize-delivery ceremony of the 2018 National Landscape Award, an event promoted by the Ministry of the Environment. On the occasion, she stressed her "great satisfaction" with the fact that the Pico Vineyard Culture Landscape was the winner, "which makes us very proud." With this award, the Azores are, once again, "distinguished at national level for the quality of their resources and for the policies pursued by the Regional Government."
 
According to the Regional Secretary, the Pico Vineyard Culture Landscape has been "the stage of an absolutely extraordinary process of implementation of land management, landscape and nature conservation policies, whose success has been recognised."
 
"This has been possible due to the implementation of a vast set of policies and measures over the last few years to revive and consolidate a living vineyard landscape with unique characteristics as well as with increasing economic and social relevance," said Marta Guerreiro. On the occasion, she emphasised the rehabilitation of building heritage, through the reconstruction of ruins, the correction of architectural dissonances, and the reconstruction and use of public heritage.
 
The Wine Museum, the headquarters of the Natural Park, the Vineyard Technical Office, the Vineyard Culture Landscape Interpretation Centre or the House of Volcanoes, expected to enter into operation next May, are some examples.
 
The Secretary for the Environment reinforced the Government's work regarding incentive systems for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the traditional landscape of vineyards in "currais" (small stone enclosures). Nearly half a century after the decline in wine production, Pico wine "enter into foreign markets, once again, and become an internationally recognised product."
 
"It is a tourism product of excellence and may also be a driving force for the local and regional economy with the potential to attract various market segments, from new consumers to the most experienced in this type of products," said the government official, adding that the tourism offer should be promoted. According to her, it will enrich the Azores "in the national and international market, through an offer based on experiences featuring our best products, namely tastings, nature tours and visits to wineries, or other activities such as workshops with chefs, harvests, fairs or theme events involving all entrepreneurs of the tourism sector.
 
"In the case of Pico, we know that wine tourism is an essential factor for the attractiveness of the Azores as a tourist destination. If we safeguard its existence, we will defend and preserve these wine products by conferring them greater authenticity and encouraging the continuous development of the restaurant and hotel sectors; both are of paramount importance for the economic development of the Azores," stated the government official.
 
The Pico Vineyard Culture Landscape was the winner selected among 27 projects across the country by unanimous decision of the jury for its quality and example of adequate implementation of the European Landscape Convention, the National Policy on Architecture and Landscape and the Land Management Policy of the Azores.
 
Moreover, it will also represent Portugal in 6th edition of the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe (2018/2019). This initiative aims to distinguish the implementation of a policy or measure for landscape protection, management and/or planning considered a good public awareness and participation practice.