The Regional Director for Forest Resources revealed that another seven companies submitted their application in the last phase of the application period to "Priolo Brand," thus raising the number of companies within this network to 40. Currently, 50% of these companies belong to the sector of accommodation.

Anabela Isidoro spoke on the sidelines of the annual forum of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in the Lands of Priolo, held Monday in Furnas. The government official stressed that the "Priolo Brand," one of the measures implemented under this European Charter, aims to distinguish the companies operating in these protected areas that strive to promote sustainable tourism.

Hence, the adherence of companies to this brand represents a commitment to the practice of sustainable activities, contributing to the conservation of protected areas where the natural habitat of this small bird is located - the municipalities of Nordeste and Povoação on São Miguel Island.

The companies that joined the "Priolo Brand" are part of a network that contributes to the development strategy of sustainable tourism and also ensures the promotion and international recognition of these companies. This can bring economic and social advantages to the territories certified with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST).

The Regional Director pointed out that this award, which certifies the territory as excellent for the practice of sustainable tourism in protected areas, includes the implementation of a public participation model that allows the conciliation between institutions and economic agents in the tourism sector and nature conservation.

During the forum, held at Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre, it was decided to further invest in the dissemination and promotion of these territories in order to attract more visitors. The event was attended by institutions and business partners of the project.

Moreover, the meeting also included the presentation of the results of satisfaction surveys conducted on the visitors of the Lands of Priolo between July and December 2014. According to these them, nature tourism is one of the main reasons for the visit and hiking is the preferred activity of respondents.

The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in the Lands of Priolo has established partnerships with the Regional Secretariats for Agriculture and the Environment and for Tourism and Transport, through the Regional Directorates for the Environment, Forest Resources and Tourism, the Nordeste Town Hall, the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) and the Association for Rural Development and Promotion (ASDEPR).