Carlos Picanço

Portugal Ambassador

Carlos Picanço is a father and husband. He is an Azorean islander. Born on the second smallest island of the archipelago, Graciosa (the graceful island). A cradle with a mere 60.65 square km and less than 5000 persons where he lived until he was 17. It is still Home. The place he returns frequently to his family and their business of homemade artisan bread in ancient stone ovens following ancient recipes.

He is the Commercial and Marketing Director of Futurismo Azores Adventures and a Guest Assistant Professor at the University of the Azores, where he teaches about the decisive impact that tourism can have in communities, culture, patrimony, and travelers.

For 10 years he led the Continuous Learning Department at the local School of Tourism for the Azorean tourism trade (leading projects in Portugal and São Tomé e Principe), before joining Futurismo in, as he says, “a 30-second decision” due to the purpose-driven ethos the company has.

A never-ending eager student, he has the mission to lead Futurismo Azores Adventures, a 30 years old, family-owned company, that has helped transform tourism in the Azores, alongside the founder and owner. From the Atlantic Ocean to land trails to local artisans, his days are, alongside a team of 50 passionate persons, an immersion in what the Azores mean.