The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated in Ponta Delgada that the TUI operation between Amsterdam and the island of Pico is "another step" towards the consolidation of the Azores destination.

Speaking at the presentation of the TUI Netherlands Programming for 2016, Vítor Fraga considered that this operation is "another step towards the consolidation and development of the tourism sector in the Azores." The government official also stressed that, "in addition to maintaining the existing connection between S. Miguel and Terceira, it will open another gateway in the Region."

"This gateway will increase tourism flows not only to the island of Pico but also to the islands of Faial and S. Jorge, seizing the potentialities of maritime transport, and will link these islands to Amsterdam," said Vítor Fraga.

In addition to these islands, the Regional Secretary also stressed that "tourists who land on Pico, Terceira and S. Miguel may also visit the remaining islands of the Azores," since this operation encompasses several components of the transport supply provided by the Region.

"The operation presented here is clearly in line with the Regional Government's perspective on the development of the sector, that is, the complementarity of inter-island transport supply, which encourages the development of tourism on each island in an equitable manner," stressed Vítor Fraga.

The Regional Secretary stressed that the new operation meets the sector's growth needs in the Region, being the result of the efforts carried out by the Regional Government with the main tourism markets in partnership with public and private entities.

"The corollary of this work is to enhance the projection of the Azores and their ability to, on the one hand, increase tourism flows and, on the other hand, raise the interest of major tour operators, such as the case of TUI," said the government official.

In his speech, Vítor Fraga highlighted the evolution of the sector in recent years, noting that, since the Government entered into office in late 2012, there has been "an increase of 30% in overnight stays as well as a clear consolidation of the main markets."

For the Regional Secretary, the growth and consolidation of tourism in the Azores are the result of a sustained effort that has been undertaken by all actors involved, directly and indirectly, in an industry that is one of the most competitive in the world.

"This reality makes it necessary to search for new ways to surpass ourselves, not only to be good but also to be the best," Vítor Fraga said, stressing the importance of this work so that tourists, when deciding, can choose the Azores as their holiday destination over other destinations.
 
"This is the spirit of surpassing ourselves that we must always bear in mind, without forgetting that tourism is an intensive investment industry and that the slightest mistake can throw it all away. Hence, we must continue the effort to develop our activity sector that is becoming increasingly important to the Azores," said Vítor Fraga.