The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo (CCIAH) is raising concerns about the Azores’ newly unveiled Drought and Water Scarcity Plan, arguing that it fails to adequately account for the growing impact of tourism on the region’s water consumption.

While the organization acknowledges the plan as an important tool for anticipating and managing water shortages, it warns that key gaps could undermine its effectiveness—particularly its reliance on outdated data that no longer reflects the realities of a rapidly expanding tourism sector.

According to the Azores River Basin Management Plan 2022–2027, annual water demand for consumptive uses stands at approximately 28.3 cubic hectometers, factoring in average system losses of 35%. Urban consumption accounts for 55% of usage, followed by agriculture and livestock at 30%, manufacturing at 9%, and tourism at just 6%.

The CCIAH argues that tourism’s share is significantly underestimated. In recent years, the sector has grown substantially, bringing with it higher water demands. While a resident consumes an average of about 190 liters per day, a guest in a five-star hotel may use between 600 and 800 liters daily—figures that can rise even higher when amenities such as spas, swimming pools, and landscaped gardens are included.

For business leaders, this discrepancy highlights the need for a more forward-looking approach. As the Azores continues to invest in higher-end tourism infrastructure, pressure on water resources is expected to intensify. The long-term sustainability of the destination, they argue, will depend on striking a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.

The chamber also points to a proposal it introduced in 2023, titled “Tourism: A Commitment to Sustainability,” which called for the creation of a dedicated funding mechanism to support environmental protection and the efficient management of critical resources like water. One of the key shortcomings of the current plan, the group says, is the absence of a clear financing model for the investments required.

A tourism-related levy, the CCIAH suggests, could generate as much as €25 million annually—funds that could be directed toward infrastructure upgrades, environmental mitigation, and sustainable destination marketing.

The debate, the chamber adds, must also be understood within the broader context of climate change. The Azores is already experiencing shifts in precipitation patterns, increased variability in water availability, and mounting pressure on resources, particularly during the peak summer months.

Given these trends, the CCIAH is urging policymakers to treat tourism as a strategic variable in water management planning and to adopt a long-term vision that anticipates continued growth in the sector.

Failing to do so, the organization concludes, could jeopardize the Azores’ reputation as a sustainable destination. It reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with regional authorities in crafting solutions that safeguard both economic development and environmental resilience.

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.