2.1.3. Tourism, an emerging sector affected by the external crisis
Tourism is one of the sectors of the regional economy which has the greatest
potential for growth, with an impact on income generation and employment, in
the tourism sector itself as well as in a broad range of associated activities and
services. Tourism has a positive effect on the trade balance since it is an
‘export’ activity.
The development of tourism in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is
especially worthy of note due to its connection and harmony with diverse other
sectors and aspects, ranging from maritime activities and agriculture to
environmental and demographic issues.
Being a sector which has become an important priority only relatively recently in
the archipelago’s economy, tourism plays a growing role in the Region’s
strategy for economic development.
This growth has been based on the sustainability of the Azores as a destination
and the guarantee of a suitable balance between tourism activities, associated
infrastructure and the protection of the landscape, eco-systems and biodiversity,
as unique hallmarks of the Region in Europe and in the world.