The Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism, in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for Health, is promoting a series of meetings with tourism agents in order to prepare the Handbook on COVID-19 Good Sanitary Practices aimed at this sector.
In this context, a meeting has already taken place with AHP -Portuguese Hotel Association and AHRESP -Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal with the aim of receiving the contributions of these entities for the restaurant sector.
In the next few coming days, a series of meetings will follow with other entities representing other segments of the tourism sector, namely tourist accommodation and lodgings, travel agencies and tourism animation companies.
The base document is being drawn up in partnership with the Regional Health Authority as a necessary measure to prepare the resumption of this important economic activity in the Azores. It will focus on the improvement of tourism services in terms of good health practices in order to reinforce the confidence of customers and visitors when regional tourism companies resume their activity.
"The protection of public health is the main priority of this handbook, safeguarding the safety of professionals working in this sector and visitors while reinforcing the confidence of the Azores as a tourist destination," said the Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism.
Marta Guerreiro stressed that this measure is adapted to the Azorean reality and will be implemented by the Regional Directorate for Tourism. According to her, it is primarily intended to raise “the awareness of tourism companies for the importance of cleaning, hygiene and basic measures aimed at preventing and controlling the COVID-19 disease, based on specific training provided to participating companies.
After the training, each entity will receive a kit and a seal, whose maintenance will require a strong commitment on the part of all companies with regard to the implementation and monitoring of the rules set out in the document.
"We expect the adherence of companies from all segments of the tourism sector to this initiative, because it is the only way we can ensure a safe communication abroad," added Marta Guerreiro. In this context, she urged "all Azoreans to unite in the relaunch of tourism activity and make this measure a true demonstration of the rules and criteria that we have defined for this sector and that will enable us to send a message of public health safety."