Marta Guerreiro points out that "very positive" data on Azores Tourism in 2017 evidence the "investment in qualification" and the "results achieved"
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism pointed out that the growth in the tourism sector stands at 24%, being higher than that registered in overnight stays, a growth of 21%. These figures "evidence the investment in qualification" made by the Region as "a path that has been followed with concrete results."
Marta Guerreiro spoke this morning at the end of a visit to Furnas Lake Villas, considering that the tourism figures concerning 2017, recently published the National Statistics Institute (INE) are "quite positive." They confirm "the Azores as, once again, the Region of the country that grows the most in the main indicators, with special emphasis on overnight stays."
According to the government official, there was "a growth of 21% in all types of accommodation, while the national average stands at 11%. This puts the Region above 2.3 million overnight stays, setting a new record in the history of the archipelago.
"We are satisfied to see the Azores contributing to the national whole, not only in terms of figures but, above all, in terms of a quality tourism offer that provides a relevant contribution to our projection" as a tourist destination," stressed the government official.
Marta Guerreiro pointed out that the revenue growth per available room (REVPAR) in the last three years has grown "above the national average of 68%." In this context, we have created all the conditions to "regard tourism as a sector that has all the conditions to attract those looking for a new job opportunity, as an area to value themselves professionally or even in terms of investment."
As for Furnas Lake Villas, the Regional Secretary took the opportunity to reinforce that these "small/medium-sized projects are strongly focused on quality and comfort, and are carefully fitted into natural landscapes, in addition to adopting sustainable practices. In fact, they help consolidating the image we defend for Azores Tourism, a nature-certified tourism."
Regarding the tourism offer, the government official highlighted the fact that this is an investment focused on comfort and interaction with the place," given its location near Furnas Crater Lake that allows an "experience of interaction" with the environment. This is increasingly sought after by "those living sedentary lifestyles in big cities," who regard the Azores as a destination "with a quality tourism offer and carefully fitted into what nature has to offer."