“The current situation of tourism in the Azores is not positive, as it has been registering declines in the number of guests and overnight stays, diverging negatively from what is happening in the country and, especially, in Madeira,” points out the CCIA leadership.

In a statement sent to Lusa news agency, following the recent general assembly, the business association expressed “deep concern and disagreement” regarding the “continued insufficiency of financial resources” allocated to VizitAzores, the entity responsible for the external promotion of regional tourism. According to the Chamber of Commerce, this situation is again evident in the budget planned for 2026, with “uncertainty remaining regarding its effective implementation.”

The CCIA maintains that the Azores' investment in promotion “is substantially lower than what Madeira has been doing over the years, even though it is a consolidated destination.”

For the business organization, the “very positive” results achieved by Madeira demonstrate the effects of sustained investment, combined with a “consistent strategy, continued public policies,” and “professional and efficient management.”

The CCIA (Azores Tourism Association) leadership argues that the current context demands "a different vision, efficiency, and more substantial financial resources" for the tourism sector in the Azores, commensurate with its return to the economy and its weight in the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Uncertainty”

The association also warns of a number of uncertainties that could worsen the sector's situation, namely "the announced end of Ryanair's operations" in the region, the impact of this decision on the regional economy, "the uncertainty" surrounding the privatization of Azores Airlines, and the future of TAP's connections to the Azores in the scenario of the airline's privatization.

The CCIA leadership highlights the relevance of tourism to the regional economy, with "an impact on many economic activities," and its "increasingly relevant role in regional development, employment, and regional public finances."

"The success of tourism in the Azores requires special attention, a strategic public vision, adequate and concrete financial resources, and even greater coordination and collaboration between public entities and economic agents," the business association considers.