Regional Government working with the Azores Tourism Association and national operators to provide tour packages that will increase tourism flows to the Region
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism said that “tourists are welcome to the Region.” In this regard, she stressed that it is important to ensure that anyone who chooses the Azores as a holiday destination “will have the total comfort of those who are, effectively, safe,” enjoying “everything we have to offer,” be it “our fantastic nature or our culture and gastronomy.”
“The measures we took at the beginning of the pandemic allow us to communicate, very clearly, that we are open to tourism and that everyone is most welcome,” Marta Guerreiro stressed, adding that “we will, evidently, maintain the control measures."
The government official stated that, currently, safety issues are always above the price factor when deciding on a holiday destination, in addition to the demand for products that offer a close contact with nature, such as the case of the Azores.
“We have managed to create a product that fits perfectly into what is the new world order in terms of tourism: positive and differentiated tourism in a region where visitors can enjoy, as a family or in a group, all that the best we have to offer,” stressed the government official.
According to the Regional Secretary, “we have followed the path of sustainability and certification in a wisely manner, which precisely conveys the message of what is the path that the entire
Regarding the measures implemented by the Regional Government, the Secretary for Tourism acknowledged that this “is a difficult phase and, therefore, it is necessary to support entrepreneurs.”
“We are here,” Marta Guerreiro stressed, noting that the Regional Government is on the side of entrepreneurs “in good times and in less good times, and for that reason, we will always be present and try to provide the best responses, within the reach of our capabilities."
The government official stressed the creation of a working group, composed of members from the public and private sectors, since the beginning of the pandemic. It meets on a weekly basis in order to assess the needs arising from the current context.
“Evidently, we are working with our entrepreneurs,” said the government official. We have already implemented more than 60 support measures, with special emphasis on those intended to support the liquidity of companies and the maintenance of employment.
Marta Guerreiro spoke in Ponta Delgada on the sidelines of a visit to the Azoris Royal Garden Hotel during the delivery of the "Clean & Safe Açores" seal.
“We are here today, also with special pleasure, to accompany an entrepreneur who resumes his activity with a refurbished hotel” that offers specific campaigns to Azorean citizens, also available through the "Living the Azores" campaign, stressed the government official.
Regarding this initiative, Marta Guerreiro noted that “we already have 3,300 registrations in about three weeks and many trips that have taken place in the meantime, with extremely positive reports,” adding that “we are aware that our domestic market does not save the summer, but it can make a difference."
As for the national market, the Regional Secretary pointed that the Regional Government is working with the Azores Tourism Association and with national operators to provide tourist packages that will increase tourism flows to the Region.
“Internationally, there are bigger challenges due to restrictions in some countries. Nevertheless, we are following the evolution of the situation” together with the National Government, through the State Secretary of State for Tourism as well as through all diplomatic negotiations in progress, so as to increase tourism flows from abroad, said Marta Guerreiro.