Marta Guerreiro highlights Mercure Hotel project as regional investment associated with internationally renowned group
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism highlighted the importance of projects such as the Mercure Hotel for the tourism sector, emphasising that this is "a regionally funded project associated with an internationally renowned brand that has the potential of attracting more visitors to the Azores."
The Mercure brand belongs to the ACCOR Group. It was established in 1967 and presents a variety of concepts under the Sofitel, Novotel, IBIS and Mercure designations, among others.
Marta Guerreiro spoke after receiving the entities responsible for this four-star hotel project in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, she pointed out that it "reflects the attractiveness of the sector in the Region" as evidenced by the increasing investment, being an excellent example of this growth.
"It is with special pleasure that we see it being born," the government official stressed, adding that it will enhance the value of the regional tourism offer. The authorisation to the promoter Damião de Medeiros Lda. for the construction of this four-star hotel with an expected capacity for 75 rooms and 150 beds was published today in the Official Journal.
The Regional Secretary also mentioned that the project includes a component focused on tourism activities, namely a wellness centre, an outdoor pool and a conference centre, being in line with the policies defined in the Azores Tourism Strategic and Marketing Plan.
The Secretary for Tourism added that the future hotel "contributes to the rehabilitation of a very important heritage with a history linked to the role played by Ponta Delgada in the middle of the Atlantic, which should be transmitted to visitors." Moreover, it gives "more shape to the history we have to tell as far as it distinguishes us from other destinations."
Marta Guerreiro also emphasised the revitalisation of heritage, through the rehabilitation of the mansion where "Pensão Central" guesthouse was once installed. In architectural terms, there is an interesting contrast between the pre-existing elements and the contemporary design. Furthermore, there are prospects of a warm environment with a high level of comfort and a personalised service, through the development of a component under the motto "The Journey" and the creation of a tourist itinerary on the cultural, tangible and intangible material heritage of Ponta Delgada.
This theme evokes the history of the mansion that originally belonged to the Barons of Nossa Senhora de Oliveira. In the early 19th century, it was already known for recreational travelling, thus introducing a certain degree of cosmopolitanism into the local society as the Azores were also a worldwide stop for those crossing the Atlantic by sea and, later, by air.
Asked by journalists about the distinction of the Azores by Forbes magazine as the coolest destination to visit in 2019, the government official stressed that it stems "from a survey conducted on various travel agents about the destinations they consider essential to visit this year." As she emphasised, Portugal is included in this list through the Azores, "which makes us especially satisfied."