The Regional Association of Tourist Activity Companies said that 50% of tourism activity on some Azores islands operates “illegally”. The government denied the claim and says it monitors the sector.
Azores government denies allegations of illegal tourism
Thursday, 22 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Local accommodation (alojamento local) means short-term tourist rentals—private apartments, houses or rooms rented for days or weeks—that must be registered and licensed with municipal authorities. Municipalities can suspend or cancel licences (Lisbon cancelled about 6,700 licences in early 2026), so travellers and hosts should check a listing's registration and local rules before booking or offering stays.
