1. Good Practice Cases in Sustainable Tourism Destinations
Faial natural park – Azores - Portugal
ITEMS
CASE
PROFILE
SECTIONS
Contact details
DESCRIPTION
parque.natural.faial@azores.gov.pt
pedro.gp.casimiro@azores.gov.pt
Name (in EN) of
the destination
Administrative
Organizations
and Country
Faial Natural Park
The island of Faial belongs to the central group of the Azores
archipelago. The Azores are a Portuguese region and have an
autonomous government, the so called Autonomous Region of the
Azores.
The Faial Natural Park is a part of the Regional Network of Protected
Areas and manages the Protected Areas in the island of Faial, including
nature conservation, environmental education and visitor centres,
playing a central role in the sustainable tourism development.
Tourism
Organizations
Associação de Turismo dos Açores
Associação Regional de Turismo
Surface
Resident
population
Tourism Arrivals
Tourism nights
Name of the
leading
organization
Website
219 Km2
14.994
39.126 (2012)
100.100 (2012)
Government of the Azores and the Regional Environmental Services
http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/en/faial-eng
http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/_por-ilha/Faial.html
WHY
The reason for
action
The geographic isolation of the Azores archipelago has always been an
important reason for low touristic flow in the islands, aggravated by the
fact that there are nine different islands all competing in the same
destination. Also, the lack of a well-structured touristic offer should be
corrected, joining in one entity the disperse existing services, and
implementing a set of services and infrastructures of both public and
private initiative in order to provide the long distance traveller diverse
and quality services and information about Faial.
The development of the touristic potential through a sustainable
approach, focussing on high quality, certified tourism while taking
advantage of a well preserved and unspoiled natural environment was
the driven force to implement a solid touristic and social project in Faial.
Issues and
challenge
Biodiversity and geodiversity, cultural traditions and collective memory
are core ingredients of national identity and heritage and require
sustainable management in order to be preserved for future
generations. The protected areas managed by Faial Natural Park include
unique habitats that harbour endemic species of fauna and flora from
the Azores’ natural heritage, priceless geological formations that help
understanding the origin of the Earth and cultural sites of significant
importance. Historical buildings like the centenary light house in
Capelinhos, the old whaling factory in Porto Pim, the Dabney’s family
summer house, the fortresses around the city of Horta dating from the
16th century and the Levada, a water duct built in the 1960’s and
destroyed in the 1998 earthquake are historical relevant buildings and
PICTURES

2. constructions part of the history of the Azores that were in ruins before
the Natural Park creation in 2008. All these buildings were in serious risk
of rapid and irremediable destruction.
The main challenge of the project is to manage this natural and cultural
patrimony, while developing the Faial and the Azores potential as a
sustainable touristic destination and to serve as a model of
development while bringing value to local development.
HOW
Faial Natural Park was solemnly created in 2008 and was the first of its
kind in the Azores. The 13 protected areas enclosed in the park totalize
219 Km2, both in land and sea; 17,5% of the surface of Faial island is
part of a protected area. Together with the territorial management,
various visitor support and interpretation infrastructures have been set
up, in particular the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre, the Faial
Botanical Garden, the Porto Pim Aquarium, the Dabney’s House, the
Caldeira Houses and ten pedestrian trails (with interpretative stations).
All these infrastructures regard different aspects of Faial and the
Azores: geology and volcanology, nature and conservation, cultural
heritage and landscape. The buildings that serve these infrastructures
were all rebuild from old ruins, respecting the landscape and traditional
architecture; original materials and collective memory were kept. The
Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre is a good example of this,
perfectly hided in the natural landscape and is the result of the rebuilt
of the old light-house affected by the eruption of the volcano. The Porto
Pim Aquarium was installed in the old whaling factory; the Natural Park
headquarters and the Dabney’ s House, that holds an exposition about
this historical American family were placed in the ruins of the Dabney’ s
family summer house and cellar. The Caldeira houses recovered old
roadman and ranger shelters. Visiting information and signs for blind
people were installed in the majority of these buildings. The Levada
trail, set in the 1960’s water duct, the most important hydraulic
engineering work in the Azores and very affected by the 1998
earthquake, undergoes the third phase of reconstruction. This
reconstruction allowed the functioning of the hydro electrical power
plant that was shut down after the earthquake and the production of
1% of Faial electrical power. Also, trails and natural areas are
maintained in good shape all year round. The Pedro Miguel Bogs, a
humid area and Important Bird Area (IBA) were acquired in 2012 and
transformed from pasture to forest by the plantation of 4000 juniper
trees by every child in school in Faial. A bird observation tower was built
in order to increase the offseason bird watching visitors. A mountain
biking trail was also opened.
Information on these subjects is easy to access: a Portuguese and
English Guide about Faial Natural Park were created; extensive
information is available in the website and flyers, muppies and other
supports were developed. The Natural Park has given adequate
formative preparation to a number of certified guides and all visitor
centres have guided visits. All walking trails are marked under
international codes and well described in the guide as well as
interpretative boards have been set-up in the most significant places.
This information is always available in Portuguese and English as well as
in braille. An extensive project on conservation of natural values and
landscape is in action including invasive species control, erosion control,
rare and endangered species recovery programs, habitat recovery,
endemic species seed banking, propagation facilities for threatened
plant species, planting tree species involving social partners specially
schools. A broad program of environmental education for children
includes visits to interpretative centres and practical classes. A team of
an environmental police (Vigilantes da Natureza) is the guarantee of
protection and safeguard of the environment.
Extensive testimonials of Faial inhabitants that witnessed the
Capelinhos volcano eruption were collected and are available in the
SIARAM website. This website also contains detailed descriptions of
Faial Natural Park structures and centres.
The Natural Park of Faial has developed a partnership program that
integrates local service providers, from whale watching to dolphin
swimming, scuba diving, diving with sharks and sailing, glass bottom

3. boat, canyoning, guided trails and jeep tours, horse riding, rustic golf,
mountain biking, orienteering, accommodation, restaurants, travel
agencies, scientific foundations, magazines and transports, totalizing 37
partners that offer 750 daily activities.
The impact of the Natural Park in the media sector is high. Local,
national and international media show significant interest. International
travel agencies, journalists and tourism authorities are regular visitors
and welcomed with programmed and oriented visits.
Special environmental actions are undertaken, like SOS Cagarro (Corry
shearwater), a campaign that saves thousands of sea-birds every year
and endemic plants plantations in the natural areas. Recycling is done in
all areas of the Natural Park.
RESULTS
Benefits
The number of tourists in Faial is relatively stable from 2010 to 2012
being 39,126 at this year, but numbers for the first semester of 2013
show that total number of visitors raised by 13%, compared to the same
period of 2012. Also, nights per visitor in Faial tend to raise, being 2,6 in
2012. International visitors tend to increase replacing the traditional
Portuguese visitor. In 2010, foreign visitors were 14,674, in 2011 the
number raised to 16,847 and in 2012 the number reached 18,817 which
shows a good evolution on the international marketing of the
destination.
This numbers show well that the common efforts developed by
authorities and entities, with a relevant place for the Natural Park of
Faial, have given results not only in the total foreign visitors but also in
the time they spend in Faial, leaving added value in revenues from
tourism activities. Local service providers related to tourism are
increasing and show financial stability even with crises. The number of
visits to the centres managed by the natural park are stably increasing,
reaching 32,000 entries in 2012 and increasing by 10% in 2013. Inquiries
show very good results and excellent satisfaction among visitors.
Sustainable practices among accommodation providers are increasing
as well showed by the green lodgings award Miosótis Azores, developed
by the Regional Government. Sustainable management of natural sites
where actions of limiting the human presence in certain areas like
Caldeira Natural Reserve (a Ramsar, Habitat and Bird Directive and
Natura 2000 area) and bird nesting areas like in Capelinhos volcano
have produce good impacts on the sites conservation.
The Code of Conduct in Natural Areas, implemented by the Natural Park
is showing good results. What was first a controversial measure to
remove all garbage containers from natural inaccessible areas, which
were a source of problems from wind spreading to animal use of
garbage, as shown to be an efficient measure to reduce waste in natural
areas and to implement a responsible waste management on visitors.
Investment in the Natural Park structure has given the opportunity to
develop a proper and effective nature conservation program, specially
implemented by the Botanic Garden of Faial, by "in situ" (in the place
where species and habitats occur) and "ex situ" (out side the natural
areas"). In situ conservation led to interventions in protected areas by
controlling invader plant species and threatened species population’s
reinforcement. Ex situ actions are developed in the Regional Seed Bank,
hosted in the Botanic Garden and the nursery, where rare species are
propagated.
The extensive educational programs developed by the Natural Park of
Faial with local schools and general public is raising awareness between
the population and showing good results in nature conservation. In
2012, 1,000 school children attended oriented workshops and sessions
in Faial Botanic Garden and Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre.
Recognition and
Awards
Due to natural significance and rarity of habitats and species existing in
Faial, natural areas have been classified under EU Directives and
International Conventions:
- 13 protected areas under International Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) classification;
- Natura 2000 Network: 4 Special Areas for Conservation, 1 Special Area
for Protection;

4. - 1 RAMSAR Convention (Humid Areas) site;
- 6 Important Bird Areas in Faial both terrestrial and marine
2007 - National Geographic Traveler magazine recognized the Azores as
the second best islands in the world for sustainable tourism;
2008 - Lonely Planet editors classified the Azores as one of the worlds
best destinations;
2010 - The Forbes magazine distinguished the Azores as “One of the
world’s most unique travel destinations”.
2010 - Quality Coast Award
2010 – The Sunday Telegraph: one of the world’s best destinations for
cetacean observation;
2011 - National Geographic Traveler: one of the world’s best
destinations for 2011;
2011 – Natural Park of Faial was distinguished by the Portuguese Board
of Tourism as winner and Portuguese representant in the EDEN –
European Destinations of Excellence;
2011 - Natural Park of Faial was awarded by the European Commission
as the first EDEN – European Destinations of Excellence, in Portugal;
- The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre (CVIC) was selected as
one of the 150 best European projects as a success case of European
investment which was highlighted in the magazine “Investing in our
Regions – 150 examples of projects co-funded by European regional
policy” in 2010;
- CVIC was the only Portuguese representative in the Regio Stars
Awards 2011, winning the first prize in the category;
- CVIC was 2009 nominee for the architecture prize Mies van der Rohe;
- CVIC was finalist in the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA)
2011;
- Faial Botanic Garden was awarded a Honorius mention in the 2011
edition of the Portuguese Tourism Board Awards in the category:
Requalification of Public Project;
- Quality Coast Gold Award 2012-13;
- European and Global Geopark 2013;
- Faial Natural Park: Honorius mention in the National Landscape Prize
2013 with the Capelinhos Volcano Project.
REFLECTION
Multiplier effect
and
transferability
The Natural Park of Faial served as a model towards the development of
the Azores. Being the first of its kind in the region, a specific legislative
frame was developed and served as a model for each of the 8 other
natural parks that were created in the Azores since then, as each island
has a Natural Park. This structure is also the fundamental piece for the
Regional Strategy for Nature Conservation as each Natural Park
encloses natural areas, resources and infrastructures to implement the
strategy.
The development model adopted serves as a reference: by
concentrating the environmental public services and infrastructures in
one entity, unifying what was before spliced through a number of
different entities, gave the park the possibility to undergo a strategy of
integrated management, oriented to results. This success model has
been adopted in other Azorean islands.
Lessons learned
and critical
success factors
Investment in people, education, qualified work creation and team
building, from the field worker to management positions is the most
rewarding. Also the commitment to nature and heritage conservation
and collective memory preservation as the main goal to achieve in every
action is critical for success. Only by respecting this we can contribute to
a solid, stable and quality touristic offer.
Organizing and concentrating disperse services and structures in one
main organization were, in terms of touristic offer, absolutely essential
to contribute to a rewarding experience to the visitor. The more

5. embracing but yet simple way the information is provided to a visitor is
vital, not only when arriving to Faial but also when preparing the
journey. Further steps should be taken in order to have all this
information available when a traveler is deciding the destination to visit
in the next vacation.
Constant evaluation in order to quantify economic, social and natural
impact should be implemented further and can be used as cornerstone
in order to show benefits/results and influence decision makers as well
as public awareness/recognition.