Post by João

AFTER OUR FIVE-YEAR GLORIOUS JOURNEY came to a screeching halt in 2020, we figured it was time to turn inside.

We've helped scores Discover and Feel the Azores, a driving vision for the MINUVIDA AZORES operation of lodging, outdoors experiences and retreats since 2015. But all along we wondered if that was all we were doing or could do. We started noticing that what people really need, now more than ever, is to turn inside, awaken their consciousness. Elevate.

So, after many in-confinement stream of consciousness sessions, we ultimately settled on a new vision (the why) and tweaked our mission (the what and how). We evolved our look and are set on changing travel. (We kind of had plenty of time to do all this...)​

Post by João

Sustainable tourism and responsible travel are the buzzwords in the travel industry for 2019. We're staying above, and ahead of the hype at MINUVIDA.

Not bragging. 

We've made sustainable and conscious (responsible) travel the core principles of our business since 2017. The concept is now more relevant than ever as the Azores have attained the coveted title of "sustainable destination." The only sustainable archipelago in the whole wide world!

"The Azores has achieved EarthCheck Bronze Benchmark, with a goal of becoming a world-leading sustainable destination," the official announcement from EarthCheck reads. EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for travel and tourism, so this is a big deal. 

MINUVIDA AZORES rejoices with the Azorean government and its "Green Team" for the great accomplishment. We are an official underwriter of the Azorean Sustainability Charter, the document that sets forth the types of initiatives that led to this award.

MINUVIDA has recently been highlighted by Holiday Kingdom, (partner to ParkHero) as THE sustainable lodge to stay on the island, for example.

Awards and recognition are nice and all but the real proof is in what's happening on the ground. It's not just a shiny plaque or marketing speak.

At MINUNIDA AZORES we've made it our mission to promote responsible, sustainable travel. You're probably tired of hearing about how we serve only local and in-season products, encourage short showers, lights off, drinking from the faucet, etc., etc. 

Post by João

The word is out. The Azores are under pressure to ensure they remain a sustainable destination.  This Condé Nast Traveler article titled "How the Azores Will Hold Off Crowds and Stay a Natural Wonder" tackles the subject. But the title wouldn't be complete without the addendum "We Hope".

Well, so do we.

We are not waiting around for sustainability to become a reality here. As the article points out, the volume of summer crowds are already disconcerting to some, including us. The government has capped the number of hotel beds on the islands to 20,000 (we're already passed halfway) – hence the mad rush in hotel building. Yet, they come. And nobody will turn them away. Who's going to "say no" to economic growth; a cash cow of potential orange golden era proportions? Let the past be our counsel.

​MINUVIDA AZORES isn't primarily driven by the profit motive. We have a strong vision and are ever tweaking our mission to bring to the Azores the kind of person who wants to Discover and Feel the islands, not the "beach to cocktail" crowd the article mentions. While the crowds may be blessed with sunny weather and yes, a beach with beautiful sunsets and warm water when they descend on the islands courtesy of more direct flights from June to September, ultimately those are not the ideal visitors. They're part of a fad of sorts in the age of Instagram. We don't want the Azores to be a fad.