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Azores celebrated World Earth Day with the planting of trees on all their islands

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On Thursday, April 22, the Azores celebrated World Earth Day with a large-scale plantation of endemic species, which took place on all the islands, at the same time. This was an initiative of the Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy, through the Management Structure of the Sustainable Tourist Destination, Azores DMO, in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change, which supported this activity through the Natural Park’s structures of each Island and the Environmental Interpretation Centers. This action was part of the ‘Roadshow-Reserve’ program, an event in a unique format, promoted by the Regional Directorate of Tourism and the Azores Tourism Association, with the purpose of promoting the tourist destination as safe and sustainable. The event was replicated in all the islands, with the participation of several national and international media, volunteers in the plantation actions in each island. About 108 endemic species were planted, which contributes to the conservation and protection of the islands’ biodiversity, by strengthening the populations of these species, as well as reducing the ecological footprint and mitigating climate change, promoting the prosperity of the conditions of natural habitats and the capture of carbon from the atmosphere, improving the quality of the air we breathe. The Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy thanks the valuable support of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change for the collaborative structure, and for the availability of the structures of the Natural Parks of islands. It also thanks the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Rural Development, by granting the planting of the various endemic species under the competence of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources. This is yet another initiative that reinforces the positioning and notoriety of the Azores as a sustainable tourist destination, of which the proper functioning of its collaborative structure would be essential. This tree plantation was an event for everyone, for everyone. The Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy thanks the collaboration, commitment and enthusiasm of all the entities involved, employees and volunteers who participated in this joint action.

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Azores distinguished by Green Destinations in the “Communities & Culture” category

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The Azores reached the second place with the “Good Practice Story” in the “Communities & Culture” category of Green Destinations. The announcement was made through the online event of the ‘Green Destinations Story Awards’, a ceremony that presents the most inspiring stories of sustainable and resilient tourism practices of 2020. The region achieved this award with the Azores Sustainability Charter Project, an initiative of the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy, which aims to support the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in an inclusive and comprehensive manner in different sectors of society. The charter is carried out in the nine islands through awareness raising and fundraising actions, training workshops and progress forums. The initiative’s main objective is to be a forum for reflection on how to promote sustainable development in the Azores, across sectors and across the archipelago. The Azores Sustainability Charter started in 2017, with only 45 subscribing entities, and currently covers 143 entities, which translates into more than 500 sustainability commitments made by the various entities spread across the nine islands in the Region. This award reinforces the strategic positioning of the Region as a sustainable destination, thus bringing together the various sectors of Azorean society, towards the sustainable development of the archipelago. For more information and to subscribe to a click of the Azores Sustainability Charter click HERE. Source: Açores 24 horas

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Azores, the favorite destination. Interview with Jean Pierre Pinheiro, Portuguese Tourism Coordinator in France and Luxembourg

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Check out the interview with Jean Pierre Pinheiro, Portugal’s Tourism Coordinator in France and Luxembourg, about this paradise in the middle of the Atlantic – the archipelago of the Azores. Jean Pierre tells us about how this destination leads in terms of sustainability, with the achievement of Silver certification, by the EarthCheck destination certifying entity, accredited by the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – GSTC. He also recalls that, despite being located in the middle of the Atlantic, the Azores are a European destination, which makes it easier to travel in this pandemic period. In addition, the Azores are a safe destination: entry conditions are restricted, as it is necessary to present a negative PCR test carried out up to 72 hours before departure, which helps to ensure sanitary safety. Leia a entrevista na íntegra here:

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Angra StartUp – A Sustainable Business Incubator

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Angra StartUp has implemented a sustainable communication plan that aims to promote the importance of values such as sustainability and valuing the environment in the local business ecosystem. It is intended to provide startups installed in the incubator with the capacity to promote themselves in a sustainable manner, to encourage the incubators to subscribe to the Azores sustainability charter, to instill sustainable development goals with incubated companies, as well as to provide StartUp facilities stream of means that promote the least possible impact on the environment. There are directives to be followed in the Angra StartUp facilities, in the incubator’s communication plan and in the events and actions of the incubated companies. In addition to these objectives, the plan also aims to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals, which follow as a basis for the development of the entire plan The plan can be consulted in HERE.

European Best Destinations appoint the Azores as a safe destinations for 2021

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In 2021, the trust level in the Azores remains, and European Best Destinations has already considered it as one of the safest vacation destinations. When, in 2020, the travel and life habits of all of us changed dramatically, the Azores remained as a possibility for a safe, natural and sustainable experience. To reinforce the confidence of the Azorean islands when choosing where to spend their vacation in 2021, some criteria are considered: preventive measures, recommendations by the authorities when tourists arrive at hotels, shops and restaurants and distinction of the website for cultural and tourist promotion. At the origin of the certification is the commitment taken into account by all tourism entities in complying with the prevention norms, combined with a natural setting difficult to find elsewhere, and responsible and conscious hospitality. “The presentation of a screening test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, using the RT-PCR methodology, with a negative result on arrival, the many outdoor activities, contact with nature and always sustainable tourism make the Azores a destination mandatory nowadays, when those who come don’t have to worry, but relax and enjoy the experience ”, explains Luís Capdeville Botelho, CEO of the Azores Tourism Association, the certification states that all the efforts and work of the last few months of implementing measures that maintain confidence in the destination, and showing that there is a place in the world where it is possible to travel without apprehensions was worth it. The sustainable and natural component is also a decisive factor in this distinction. Due to all the conditions they offer to be able to enjoy in freedom and with plenty of space for everyone, the nine islands assert themselves as the perfect destination for moments of relaxation. From walks in full harmony with nature to surfing, diving and whale watching, through canyoning, it is always possible to collect adventures in a comfortable and relaxed way. In 2021, the Azores are still open to receive those who seek to take a deep breath and recharge their energy. Source: Ambitur

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National Tourism Award: The Certification of the Azores wins in the category of Sustainable Tourism

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The Azores won the first place at the National Tourism Award, promoted by BPI and Expresso, in the Sustainable Tourism category, with the Certification as a Sustainable Tourist Destination by EarthCheck. This project has been contributing to the strategic positioning of the tourist-cultural destination, aligning it with a growing international adoption by consumers, already clearly visible in the new generations and their capacity to influence others. This project makes tourism an activity that promotes the best living conditions for the local populations, contributing to the economic development of the Region, at the same time that the environmental balance occurs. It is also an innovative project based on a broad collaborative action, involving an increasing range of stakeholders from different sectors, with the common goal of achieving the true sustainability of the destination. The National Tourism Award is an initiative of Expresso, in partnership with BPI, and aims to reward companies, public projects and personalities for their contribution to the tourism sector.

DiscoverAzores.eu grew by over 25% during quarantine

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It took a pandemic for the registrations of Azorean artists on the www.discoverazores.eu platform to grow significantly. “During the past 4 weeks, we had 160 registrations on the platform” announces Terry Costa, the artistic director of the MiratecArts association, based in the island of Pico. With a total of 660 artists from digital art, visual arts, performance, literature, cinema & video, traditional arts and music, which currently leads the entries, the MiratecArts website and programming have been catalysts in creating synergies between artists from several islands and also between foreigners and locals. “There are hundreds more artists on our 9 islands, in addition to the Azoreans and Azoreans who live outside the islands, who can join” adds Terry Costa, “the website is open to all and all creatives in artistic culture.” Entering the platform, filling in your information, creates a promotional page that connects to the world on the Internet. And, in a final click on “register me” it gives you access to MiratecArts opportunities and also e-news with tips for the world of arts beyond the Azores. “After registering, it is with each person what they want to do and how to participate” explains Terry Costa. “On average, we have had around 10% of employees participating annually, some through festivals, others through the programs we created online, others with inter-island collaborations and still others who should be satisfied just because they are part of the platform, because we never hear from them again. MiratecArts is what our employees want. We will see what it will be like after that quarantine. ” The www.discoverazores.eu platform was MiratecArts’ first project, launched in 2012, with the aim of promoting the internationalization of Azorean art. After the first campaign, it was discovered that much more work was needed at home, in the region, and that was where the Azores Fringe Festival was born in 2013, where artists can use it as a showcase for their work. Competitions and participation in international fairs have also taken place, promoting the Azores with art and artists, supported by the Regional Department of Tourism. Source: Tribuna das Ilhas

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Government of the Azores marks World Wetlands Day on all islands

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The Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism, through the Regional Directorate for the Environment, will carry out various environmental awareness and education activities on all the islands, as part of the celebrations of World Wetlands Day, to be celebrated on February 2 and this year is dedicated to the theme “Biodiversity and Wetlands”.