The Regional Association of Tourist Animation Companies of the Azores (AREAT) claims that, on some islands, around half of the activity is carried out in violation of the law. The Azorean executive says inspection actions contradict those figures.

In a letter sent to the Regional Government and the municipalities of the Azores, the association expresses concern about “illegal tourist animation and the impunity of those who fail to comply with licensing, insurance, and tax obligations.”

“On some islands, it is perceived that about 50% of tourism activity operates illegally, harming companies that work to ensure profitability, workplace safety, stable jobs, and quality services,” the association warns.

AREAT cites sport fishing as an example, revealing that there are foreign boats practicing Big Game Fishing “without any maritime-tourism license, siphoning customers from regional vessels and leaving no economic value in the region.”

In canyoning as well, the association notes that there are foreign groups that “use streams organized by local companies to minimize impacts, without any registration or licensing, putting safety, the environment, and the sustainability of the sector at risk.”

“Additionally, foreign companies organize and prepare picnic-style meals without any HACCP system in place, conduct tours in locations classified as World Heritage Sites and in Natural Reserves without proper training, without certified local guides, and without registration as Tourist Animation operators—disregarding basic rules of safety, quality, and fair competition,” the association alleges.

The association also denounces the “closure or prolonged restriction of tourist infrastructures and access points in the Azores,” with “deep and immediate impacts on sector companies and the local economy,” as well as the “advanced state of degradation” of marinas, “worsened by the lack of regular maintenance.”

AREAT further criticizes the “clear lack of investment in promoting the Azores as a destination,” stressing that the amounts allocated, when compared with other regions, “are manifestly insufficient.”

“There is repeated talk about the need to reduce seasonality, increase company profitability, and ensure labor stability. However, without consistent and strategic investment, these objectives will not be achieved,” the association emphasizes.

“Tourism entrepreneurs are not asking for permissiveness or deregulation. They are asking for management, planning, investment, ongoing maintenance, effective enforcement, and a long-term vision. They are asking, once again, to regulate rather than prohibit, to monitor rather than ban, to care rather than let things deteriorate,” it adds.

Government rejects the figures

In response, the Regional Government says that “the results of inspection authorities’ actions contradict the claims that 50% of the sector operates outside the law, demonstrating instead periodic monitoring of the market.”

“Within the scope of the 2025 Activity Plan, the Regional Tourism Inspection carried out 71 inspections of licensed tourist animation companies. In 48% of cases, full compliance with current tourism legislation was verified. In the remaining 37 inspections, the irregularities detected were essentially administrative in nature,” the executive states in a press release.

Regarding the fight against illegal activity, the Government adds that “77 actions were carried out to detect unregistered tourism companies or professionals,” and that “no companies or professionals operating illegally were identified.”

In the area of maritime tourism activity, “the Regional Fisheries Inspection received seven complaints,” but 30% were “unfounded and, in the remaining cases, it was not possible to confirm the reported facts.”

“In 2025, direct inspection of maritime-tourism activities was intensified, with 21 inspections carried out, and no administrative offenses were detected,” the executive underscores.

As for tourism information professionals, the Government reports that in 2025 an extraordinary inspection action plan was implemented and that “of the 45 inspections carried out in areas of high tourist interest and protected areas, no infractions were recorded in 44.”

“All complaints received by inspection services are rigorously analyzed and addressed. However, it should be noted that some of the complaints reflect a lack of knowledge of the legal standards in force for the exercise of certain professions or activities, resulting in cases being dismissed due to lack of grounds or inability to substantiate unlawful acts,” the statement adds.

Finally, the Government justifies restrictions on access to Fajã da Ferraria and the Salto do Cabrito trail with “technical assessments grounded in public safety reasons.”

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.