COVID-19 Impact on the Tourism Accommodation and Restaurant Sectors of São Miguel (Azores)

The importance of tourism in the Azores’ economy has been increasing over years. In order to respond higher tourist demand, new accommodation establishments and restaurants started activity region, creating jobs wealth. This trend economic expansion slowed down, possibly reversed, since COVID-19 pandemic various strategies adopted by government decrease infection rate, which led arrival fewer tourists. To assess impact after first lockdown on São Miguel, biggest most visited island Azores, surveys were designed for restaurant sectors, both influenced activity. main aim was estimate mean income drop 2020 high season, percentage, compared homologous pre-pandemic 2019 period. results highlight an adverse those with greatest being estimated local sector (78.7±3.6%), followed traditional hotel (74.7±4.6%) (58.5±6.5%). Moreover, almost 60% occupancy rate during 2019, sector.