Ponta Delgada establishes Municipal Tourism Council to drive strategic and sustainable growth
Ponta Delgada, a key gateway to the Azores and one of Portugal’s most dynamic tourism destinations, has taken a significant step forward in shaping its tourism future by creating the Municipal Tourism Council.
This newly established advisory body aims to foster collaborative strategies that will enhance the region’s tourism development, while ensuring sustainability, cohesion, and cultural preservation across the entire municipality.
Formed by the Municipality of Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island, Azores), the Tourism Council will act as a consultative body, bringing together stakeholders from across the community to align ideas, promote informed decision-making, and contribute to a long-term tourism vision for the city and its 24 parishes.
The Council’s key responsibilities include:
- Identifying strategic priorities for tourism development
- Making recommendations to enhance urban regeneration, improve tourism infrastructure, and protect cultural and UNESCO heritage
- Supporting the creation of key policy documents that reflect local tourism strategies
- Monitoring tourism trends using economic, social, and cultural indicators
- Organizing specialized forums and working groups to introduce innovative approaches
- Assisting in the development and revision of strategic documents for structured tourism growth
A vision of Innovation, Quality, and Community involvement
Pedro Nascimento Cabral, Mayor of Ponta Delgada, emphasized the importance of this initiative in aligning the city’s tourism potential with a strategic, inclusive, and forward-thinking model.
“Given Ponta Delgada’s immense tourism potential, I’m confident this advisory council will significantly contribute to building a strategic vision focused on innovation, competitiveness, and balanced development throughout the municipality,” the Mayor stated.
By encouraging active participation from civil society, the Council seeks to integrate local voices into public policy-making processes. Mayor Cabral added that this platform allows for open dialogue and information sharing, enabling the municipality to design tourism policies tailored to the unique needs of each of its 24 local parishes.
“This measure promotes civil society involvement in shaping public tourism policy. Through cooperation and idea exchange, we aim to define a strategic path that benefits all corners of Ponta Delgada. It’s a valuable step toward comprehensive and sustainable development,” he affirmed.
Enhancing Ponta Delgada’s Tourism with equity and sustainability
The creation of the Municipal Tourism Council represents a progressive move toward inclusive and sustainable tourism governance. With its holistic approach—balancing tourism growth with cultural preservation, infrastructure quality, and environmental care—the council is set to play a key role in enhancing the region’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors.
Mayor Cabral concluded by underlining his confidence in the council’s potential:
“Municipal councils like this one produce valuable insights that lead to more effective and fair public policies for all citizens.”
Ponta Delgada’s initiative aligns with global tourism trends, where destinations are increasingly turning to community-driven, sustainable planning to manage growth and protect local identity. This move not only strengthens governance but also reinforces the city’s position as a model for responsible tourism development in island and coastal regions.
With this new council, Ponta Delgada is laying the foundation for a tourism model built on collaboration, innovation, and lasting impact, for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.