The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated Nordeste is an example of a municipality with a great diversity of sites of tourist interest, within the range of available experiences.
 
"Its natural beauty is indisputable, namely several forest reserves, Lombo Gordo beach or Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park. They provide quality activities as recognised by tourists, not to mention the diversity of beauty in this environmental heritage, where viewpoints, as main stopping points for nature contemplation, are also emblematic sites, stressed Marta Guerreiro. She spoke Monday at the solemn session celebrating the 503rd anniversary of this municipality on São Miguel Island.
 
The Secretary for Tourism recalled the positioning of the Azores as an active nature destination, stressing that "the enjoyment of natural spaces is also a possibility in Nordeste, namely the climb to the highest place of the island - Pico da Vara - or one of the four diversified and emblematic trails of São Miguel."
 
The Regional Secretary also highlighted the protection and conservation of biodiversity, through "very good results" in the preservation of "priolo" (Azores bullfinch) and its habitat, laurissilva forest. According to her, "it is one of the most threatened birds in Europe as it can only be found in this area of the island, where conservation actions take place to ensure their survival."
 
Regarding the growth registered in the first five months of this year in regional hotel establishments, with more than 579 thousand overnight stays, an increase of 18.1% over the same period of 2016, Marta Guerreiro added that "it is the highest growth registered than in any region of Portugal."
 
"Local economic forces play a key role in this development as a whole, streamlining and innovating their business activities as well as the attractiveness of this thriving market of tourists," said the Regional Secretary.