The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment, through the Regional Directorate for Environment, in partnership with the Office of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in "Priolo" (Azores Bulfinch) Lands, promotes from today a new application period for "Priolo" Brand that runs until March 31.
 
Applications may be submitted by organisations and companies operating in the municipalities of Nordeste and Povoação, São Miguel; their activity should be related to handicrafts, agricultural products, tourism activities, restaurants or accommodation.
 
The "Priolo" Brand currently has 35 members, who have taken the commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the territory, stimulating the sustainable economy and social development.
 
Therefore, the adherence to this brand represents the commitment of companies to the practice of sustainable activities, contributing to the conservation of protected areas of the territory that is the natural habitat to Priolo.
 
The application of the Lands of "Priolo" to the award of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST), submitted by the Regional Government, was approved in October 2012. This classification acknowledges the development of sustainable tourism and the conservation of their unique natural values, promoted under the LIFE Sustainable Laurel Forest project and the Land Management Plan of Furnas Crater Lake Hydrographic Basin.
 
This tool was created, assessed and certified by the EUROPARC Federation. It is primarily intended to defend a tourism practice that reconciles environmental and social aspects with economic developed in protected areas.
 
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in the Lands of "Priolo" has established partnerships with the Regional Directorates for the Environment, Forest Resources and Tourism, the Nordeste Town Hall and with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA).
 
The membership of companies to "Priolo" Brand brings several advantages, including the dissemination of companies at tourism fairs, the access to training in order to improve their environmental performance and the provision of further information on the access to EU funds.
 
Interested companies should contact the Office of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in "Priolo" Lands at the email address [email protected] or the telephone number 296 206 700.
 
Further information is available at the address http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrncets/menus/principal/marca+priolo/.