For decades, the Azores were Portugal’s economically deprived “poor relation”. Many locals emigrated because life was truly gruelling, due to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the harsh conditions of farming. As EU directives forced the dairy and livestock sectors to increasingly bow to industrial price pressures, this source of income also dwindled. In the Azores, particularly away from the tourist hotspots, one sees many abandoned farms and houses. Fewer and fewer jobs are becoming available for young people, so they are leaving the islands and moving to the mainland. Tourism helps to some extent, but often it only creates jobs in the low-wage sector. It is up to us travellers to travel responsibly so that at least a small portion of our travel money goes directly to the local population.
