LUÍSA PEREIRA, PRESIDENT OF THE AZORES THERMAL BATHS ASSOCIATION

The Azores has 35 thermal springs on five islands. Although São Miguel is more developed, the President of the Azores Thermal Spa Association says there is still much-untapped potential.

HOW DID YOUR PASSION FOR THERMALISM COME ABOUT?
Water has always fascinated me and aroused my curiosity, perhaps because it is our first contact with life. An analysis resulting from my reflections when I’ve asked myself this question. Apart from this aspect, I am a coreligionist of the sea, as a result of being an islander and liking that feeling of being born and surrounded by the sea. This geographical circumstance is a necessity for me. Therefore, I believe my passion for thermalism comes first from my passion for water. In order of time, developing a deep passion parallel to my knowledge of spas and thermalism led me to study and acquire a second academic degree.

IS THE CONCESSIONAIRE OF THE CALDEIRAS SPA IN SÃO MIGUEL. RECENTLY, DI HEARD ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE TO EXPLOIT VOLCANIC MUD. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT?
This volcanic mud is, by composition, from the clay family. Some research has been carried out, particularly by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon and by INOVA, and there are several scientific studies, theses, and doctorates identify and attest to the therapeutic properties of this mud. The Ph of 2.6 and certain constituents highlight this peloid’s benefits for treating dermatological problems, particularly psoriasis.
The old-timers say that this mud was used in the past to treat musculoskeletal problems. It was applied to the affected areas.
Although, at the time, the knowledge was empirical, without scientific support, this application in thermalism today has a name and constitutes a thermal treatment, pelotherapy, which is done through the application of peloids (muds), in the form of poultices.
I recreated this form of treatment, based on the growing demand for wellness services that the spa sector has been asking for in recent years, and directed the use of this geoproduct towards this aspect, creating the volcanic mud massage, which is exclusive to the caldera spa.

Thermalism: “It’s a sector, and one of the few, that cuts across all ages and all market niches.”

SÃO MIGUEL HAS GREATER THERMAL DEVELOPMENT THAN TERCEIRA. ARE ANY RESOURCES ON THIS ISLAND (TERCEIRA) THAT AREN’T EXPLOITED?
São Miguel has different geothermal characteristics to Terceira. First of all, there are secondary volcanic phenomena on the surface. These phenomena allow for greater use of these resources. There is also a strong desire to use these resources, motivated by health, tourism, and the demand for wellness services.
The third region has geothermal potential, which has been identified, and its history also includes thermal springs. Some investors are keen, and there are real possibilities for these resources to be exploited, perhaps by a consortium, thus making the thermal potential of Terceira a reality. However, it is essential to note that this reality will not be immediate, although gradual steps have already been taken towards this realization. This leads me to believe that thermalism on Terceira will become a reality in due course.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO THE SPA ARE ADULTS. HOWEVER, CHILDREN COULD ALSO BENEFIT FROM USING THIS SPACE. DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS IN MIND FOR THE YOUNGER ONES?
Thermalism is a sector, one of the few, that cuts across all ages and all market niches, giving the sector unique versatility and market characteristics. The potential of this sector is, therefore, very vast, and although spas are suitable for children, it is necessary to adapt specific characteristics to this age group.
This was our proposal in this new investment and activity plan presented to the Ribeira Grande municipality. Our proposal includes a baby spa, the first thermal spa with these geothermal characteristics worldwide. There are numerous benefits identified in using thermal water for babies, such as treating atopic skin. According to the project we presented, we also intend to create a thermal pool for children.

ARE THE AZOREAN SPAS INCLUDED IN ANY NATIONAL ITINERARIES?
For now, the Azorean spas are not part of the national spa itinerary in the Portuguese spa network. At one time, Termas de Portugal provided information on two regional spas, but the Azores are not currently included. However, the Termas dos Açores association has three initiatives that it has been trying to implement since last year, appealing to the responsible regional public bodies to highlight this need: the creation of the Azores thermal itinerary, the Azores thermal passport and the integration of the Azores thermal baths into the Portuguese thermal baths. For the first two initiatives, contact has already been made with a regional partner in the area of project development to implement these initiatives within the new EU framework, Build 2030, and the initiative is therefore under development, although a symbiosis with the regional government of the Azores is imperative for the development of these initiatives. I believe that only cooperation will be able to bring added value to the regional spa sector in all its areas. The spa sector is one of the sectors with the most significant potential in the region.

interview published in Diário Insular – José Lourenço, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno.