The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport revealed today that he Regional Government is committed to increase the production capacity of renewable energy, thereby reinforcing the importance of this production in the energy supply of nine islands of the archipelago.

Speaking to journalists after being heard by the Committee on Economy Affairs of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores on the Medium-term Guidelines, Regional Annual Plan and the Regional Budget for 2013, Vítor Fraga added that the proposal also intends to "reduce household energy consumption and, subsequently, contribute to a reduction in the electricity bill."

In the tourism sector, which was also addressed at this hearing, the Regional Secretary reiterated the "clear commitment to promote the Azores Destination in order to increase tourism flows to the Region, thus bringing added value to the sector and ensuring its sustainability."

According to Vítor Fraga, the guidelines "will strengthen the promotion of the destination in the main tourism markets. In the specific case of the national market, which is negatively affected by the recession policies imposed by the National Government," the strategy involves redirecting the Azores Destination to another market segment with purchasing power and a desire to visit" the Azores.