The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated today that the Strategic and Marketing Plan for the Azores Tourism will be implemented in 2016.

"The implementation of the Strategic and Marketing Plan for the Azores Tourism with the Horizon 2020 is the result of the most comprehensive work ever done in our Region, where all were invited to participate; currently it is in its final phase of validation," said Vítor Fraga. The government official spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of the proposals for the Plan and Budget for 2016.

"Our actions will be based on a set of priorities that should guide the organisation of tourism products, the decision-making process in the approach to markets, the allocation of resources and the choice of the most appropriate distribution channels," added the government official.

Reflecting the sector's priority for the Region, the Plan and Budget for 2016 provides 27.8 million Euros for the development of tourism, representing a 10% increase compared to 2015. The priority "Qualification and Improvement of Supply" will be increased by 1.2 million Euros.

The plan will pursue the goals of enhancing the external projection of the Azores among potential visitors, positioning the Region as a unique exuberant nature destination, promoting the continuous cooperation between public and private entities, boosting the competitiveness of the destination, increasing tourism flows, and safeguarding the economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability of the territory.

"We must always bear in mind that resources are not infinite, so we have to be more efficient," said Vítor Fraga.

As for the transport sector, the Regional Secretary said this area "is one of the areas that enhances the visibility of the reformist spirit that has marked the performance of this Government," the government official said, stressing "the fundamental reform that has been undertaken in the Region" under the Integrated Transport Plan.

"Next year will be marked by the full implementation of the major reform ever made in terms of accessibility and mobility in the Region," said Vítor Fraga. In this regard, the Regional Secretary also ensured that the Government of the Azores will be "on the side of the regional airline throughout the implementation of its business plan in order to successfully overcome all the changes it is facing."

In regard to port and airport infrastructures, there are several interventions aimed at the improvement of operating conditions, involving an investment over 38.5 million Euros that represents a financial effort of 15 million Euros.
 
In order to expand maritime transport of passengers, vehicles and cargo on a roll on/roll off system, the Government will also continue the procedures for the acquisition two new 115-metre vessels.

As for freight transport, Vítor Fraga also announced that the Government of the Azores is "attentive to the specificities and constraints that companies sometimes face when they export their products, given our geographical location and size. In this context, it will implement an unprecedented measure, a service that will streamline the shipment of fresh and frozen products from a specific island."

The government official noted that "will be set up a maritime cargo groupage service in inter-island transport and in the links between the Region and Mainland Portugal, thus ensuring better response times and, above all, an appropriate cost for entrepreneurs."

With this measure, "red-tape costs will be reduced, which will boost the competitiveness of companies, either in the domestic market or in the export market," Vítor Fraga said, emphasising that "the inter-island transport of products will take place twice a month in 20 ft containers, which will be later transported to Mainland Portugal."

The procurement procedure for this service will be launched by the end of this year. The service should become available during the first quarter of 2016.

In the public works sector, the government official stressed the positive effects of the stimulus provided by the Regional Public Works Charter (CROP), pointing out that "one cannot go back to do what is already done." In this context, Vítor Fraga stated that 2016 will be marked "by a significant investment in the improvement and rehabilitation of the road network," with an overall allocation of 21.7 million Euros, which includes 23 interventions in the regional road network to be carried out on all islands.

In the energy sector, Vítor Fraga underlined the determination to invest in renewable energy and reinforce electric mobility.

Moreover, the Government proposes the strengthening of the Extraordinary Social Support for Energy Consumers and the Energy Social Tariff, whose coverage increased from 486 families in 2012 to 2,450 families.

"The Plan and Budget for 2016 embody, once again, our political options to further promote the consolidation and promotion of the regional economic fabric and its sustainability in an increasingly competitive world," said the Regional Secretary.

"This is how we will continue to govern. We will continue to follow our Azorean path that leaves no one behind by helping those in need, encouraging those who have lost hope, supporting all entrepreneurs and honouring our 'Azoreanity,'" said Vítor Fraga.