The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today in Horta that the Azorean Government will reinforce the maintenance and coordination team in charge of pedestrian trails," thus creating 37 new jobs across the archipelago."

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly during the debate of the proposed Regional Plan and Budget for 2014, Vítor Fraga justified this measure for the importance of pedestrian trails in regional tourism, being a "key product in the context of our tourism offer."

These 37 new members will reinforce the team established and presented on November; initially it consisted of 20 members.

Also in the tourism sector, the Regional Secretary announced "a new operation on the German market, which may represent over 7,000 overnight stays, the addition of a regular flight connection to Madrid to consolidate this important market and the continuity of Families Campaign in the 2014 summer as a strategy designed to promote the Azores as a 'Family Friendly' Destination for the national market."

Acknowledging the importance of the promotion, enhancement and qualification of the regional tourism offer, Vítor Fraga announced a "segmented and highly focused promotion of this sector to effectively stress what is most important for the final costumer, while being on the constant search for increased financial return." These promotional efforts will be carried out by the Azores Tourism (ATA) in a "joint and permanent work between public and private entities.

In his speech, the government official also announced the promotion on the North American Market, where Azorean emigrants are the true ambassadors of the Azores destination. In addition, the Government aims to increase connectivity, reinforce traditional channels and focus on online strategies. These measures will certainly be part of our strategy for sustained success."

In the area of transport, Vítor Fraga highlighted the implementation of the Integrated Transport Plan in order to promote the joint cooperation of air, maritime and land transport and provide citizens with the possibility of accessing different types of support through a simple strategy that will bring added value." The Regional Secretary also revealed that "the conclusions of a study on the acquisition of a freight aircraft to assure the regular transport of goods" will be presented by next year. "This measure aims to boost the flexibility of prices in flight connections between the Azores and Mainland Portugal and reduce fares."

As for maritime transport, Vítor Fraga stressed the "new vitality in mobility on Central Group islands" with the entry into operation of the vessels "Mestre Simão" and “Gilberto Mariano." The government official also reminded that a public call for tender for the construction of two roll on/roll off vessels for the transport of passengers and cargo throughout the Region is being prepared, as recently announced by the President of the Government.
 
With regard to infrastructures, Vítor Fraga stressed that the Government of the Azores will carry on with all works scheduled in the Regional Public Works Charter, such "the expansion of commercial wharf in Velas on the island of São Jorge, the projects of Porto da Casa on the island of Corvo or the Passenger Terminal in São Roque do Pico."

In the area of public works, the Regional Secretary revealed that several interventions "will be carried out in the renewal of regional roads and the integration of surrounding spaces. Additionally, the projects for the development of the last major roads will be prepared, including the second phase of the construction of the bypass road to Horta and the improvement of the accessibility Furnas-Povoação."

For the energy sector, the Regional Secretary emphasised the implementation of the "Eficiência+" (Efficiency+) programme, an initiative targeted at families and companies with the purpose of "reducing the impact of energy costs on household budget" and "the implementation of appropriate measures to effectively boost the competitiveness of companies."

As for the area of technology, Vítor Fraga announced the launching of the programme “TIC Para Tod@s” (ICT for All) in the first quarter of 2014. The development of this initiative is based on a decentralised physical network and it ensures the access of people with disabilities to the equipments."