Azores tourism faces challenges due to air connectivity and rising costs

The Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar of Portugal (AHRESP) has warned that the Azores is facing a specific crisis regarding air accessibility and travel costs. Carlos Moura, president of AHRESP, noted that the region's tourism is under pressure due to a lack of connectivity rather than a lack of destination appeal.

Data from the first half of 2026 shows a roughly 10% decrease in the number of passengers arriving in the Azores. This decline is attributed to the departure of Ryanair, which reduced both capacity and market competition, particularly affecting connections between the archipelago and mainland Portugal.

Furthermore, domestic tourism in the Azores saw an 8.3% drop in overnight stays during the same period, contrasting with a 2.4% increase across the rest of the country. AHRESP emphasizes the need to recover air capacity, ensure competitive pricing, and secure year-round connectivity to prevent potential demand from failing to convert into actual visitors.