The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today on Terceira that the Government of the Azores will reinforce the support awarded to entrepreneurs investing in Rural Tourism.

Speaking to journalists after a visit to Quinta do Martelo, to celebrate the World Tourism Day, Vítor Fraga revealed that the support to rural tourism will be reinforced under the new Community Support Framework and the Subsystem of Incentives for the Promotion of Exports. This measure "will provide a financial support that can vary between 55% and 65%, which is fundamental since Rural Tourism provides a decisive contribution to" the enhancement of the regional tourism offer.

The Regional Secretary stressed that the Azores "are a unique successful case at a national level in terms of the development of Rural Tourism," noting that about 10% of the beds available are located in this type of accommodation units.

"We cannot forget that Rural Tourism is characterised by the recovery of our heritage as well as by a close connection to our culture, our traditions. Given its main features, we can say that this type of tourism is the one that strengthen the relation between those who visit us and our local community," stated Vítor Fraga.

"This is what we have to stimulate in order to actively contribute to the development of local economies, which will fostering growth and takes advantage of one of the structuring sectors in the development of the Region," added the government official.

According to the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport, we have followed this path together with Azores entrepreneurs, with the Regional Government's support; however, there is still a great potential to be developed."