The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated today on S. Miguel that hiking trails contribute to the qualification of supply, encouraging active nature tourism that combines the contemplation of landscapes with tourist entertainment activities.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the opening of the "4 Fábricas de Luz" (4 Power Plants) trail in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. She assured the defence of active nature tourism in the Azores "by investing in the consolidation of investment in a tourism offer based on activities developed in natural areas; trails are a good example of this strategy."
 
The archipelago already has 74 approved trails on the nine islands, comprising a distance of about 700 kilometres. In this regard, the Secretary for Tourism stressed that we will further improve the conditions for their use by creating new trails and improving the Grand Routes. She stressed that this activity allows the discovery of new places and different perspectives of sites already known for their high tourism potential.
 
"We also plan to create a circular route on various islands and carry out an adaptation in the number of trails, taking into account the potential of nine islands and the number of visitors that have different levels on each of them throughout year," said the Regional Secretary.
 
Marta Guerreiro also stated that the Government aims to "create infrastructures along the trails that will provide minimal comfort to visitors, whether they are walkers, cyclists or trail runners."
 
Environmental preservation and respect are the Azorean Government's priorities. In this context, the Regional Secretary highlighted the example of interpretive trail designated as "4 Fábricas de Luz" (4 Power Plants) for promoting "the sharing of heritage knowledge, raising awareness and making trails part of the elements distinguishing the tourism offer of the Azores Destination."
 
Marta Guerreiro highlighted the impact of this tourism product in the Region, taking into account the various awards of excellence as a sustainable tourism destination. In this regard, she noted that working together is essential to the conservation of environmental heritage.
 
"If we all play the role of guardians of our identity and authenticity, where nature takes plays a key role, the Azores are an ever better place for each Azorean and every tourist who visits us, precisely due to these exuberant beauty features," said the Regional Secretary.