The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport assured today that the proposals provided in the Government's Plan and Budget for 2013 "demonstrate determination, commitment and, above all, the respect for Azorean citizens."
 
In the speech delivered at the Azorean Parliament under the debate on the Medium-Term Guidelines for 2013-2015, Annual Regional Plan and Regional Budget for 2013, Vítor Fraga noted that our proposals are the result of "the public service that has been provided, rigorous exercise of power, transparency and a careful management of public resources."

Vítor Fraga recalled that if Tourism is nowadays one of the key pillars in the development of the Azores, this is due to the work of previous governments. In fact, the Azores Tourism was virtually non-existent in a not too distant past and, in this context, the Azorean Government has carried out "a joint work with private entities that have brought their creativity and dynamics to this sector in order to turn Tourism into one the main vectors of development of the Region."

Otherwise, "no one would be discussing issues related to Tourism, because they would simply not exist."

In the face of current and future challenges, Vítor Fraga defended that we must "safeguard new and renewed joint strategies either in the dissemination of the Azores Destination or in terms of revenue generation" so that we may ensure the development of conditions that guarantee the sustainability of Tourism industry in the Azores.

Recalling that the Azores were selected as "Preferred Destination" by the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (APAVT) in the beginning of March, the Regional Secretary considered that these agreements allow the Azores "to follow the right path towards the goals we want to accomplish." In this regard, our main goal is to ensure "the sustainability of the sector," said the government official. Vítor Fraga also stressed that focusing on what is essential and controlling the return of the actions developed promote "a functional reform targeted at the promotion of the Azores Destination by ATA in "a joint effort between the public and private entities that make up this association."

The revitalisation of Tourism will be based on a new strategy to promote the Region in the national market and reinforce its international dissemination to "respond to a sharp decrease in the number of national visitors, which is the result of the austerity policies implemented by the National Government." With this strategy, the Azores "intend to reach a market segment that is focused on tourists with purchasing power who value a type of experiential and active tourism that brings strong emotions." Vítor Fraga also recalled that a recent campaign has been launched to promote the Azores as a family friendly destination. This promotional campaign is targeted at the age group between 35 and 45 years, citizens in middle and senior management positions in companies with family.
 
The continuity of the "Azores Family" campaign will be also assured and reinforced with the inclusion of the full package tour and a pack designated as "Azorlândia" will be made available to the hotels that have joined this initiative, giving them access to a range of equipments to provide enjoyable moments to the children who visit the Azores.

The Regional Secretary also announced the resuming and reinforcement of various tourism operations to connect the Azores to the main tourism markets, including more than 80 flights from Scandinavia, Europe and North America.
In addition to continuing, in conjunction with tour operators, the marketing campaigns targeted at the market segments with potential to enjoy the regional tourism offer, the Regional Government also intends reach the U.S. and Canadian non-ethnic market, using the emigrant community as a platform for the creation of teams focused on the promotion of the Region and the increase of tourism flows from these markets.

The promotion of the Azores Destination also aims to reach the Internet, which is widely used by tourists who book and organise their own travel.

Vítor Fraga reminded the very positive evolution of cruise calls in the Azores, which evidence the importance of the investment in the creation and promotion of regional port infrastructures. The government official stressed that the Region received over 100,000 passengers and revealed that more than 100 cruise calls are scheduled for Azorean ports this year.

Vítor Fraga added that the Azorean Government will also promote the qualification of the regional tourism offer and human resources in order to bring added value to tourism products and promote employability in the sector.

The Regional Secretary also stated that the strategies for the medium and long term cannot be neglected and, in this context, he announced the development of Strategic Plan for the sector later this year. The creation of this plan will be coordinated by an external entity; it will be in force in the period between 2014 and 2020. The Strategic Plan should include the participation of the population, opinion leaders, public and private entities, tourists, national and international operators working in the Region, and major world tour operators. Vítor Fraga also announced that "the tender specifications will be concluded by the end of the months, being immediately followed by the beginning of tender procedures."

Furthermore, Vítor Fraga announced a series of measures for the Tourism sector, such as the revision of the legislation on tourist animation and whale watching, qualification of human resources of Tourism Offices, enhancement of the tourism offer of each island and the increase of enforcement activities undertaken by the Regional Tourism Inspectorate in order to combat parallel economy.

In the area of transport, Vítor Fraga mentioned the "relevance of improving its reliability, frequency and safety while maintaining its competitiveness in order to preserve and promote means of transport as well as the confidence of operators and users in them." In this context, the government official announced that "the proposal for the revision of Public Service Obligations presented to the National Government has already been submitted to the National Institute of Civil Aviation," reiterating the Region's wish "of concluding this process as soon as possible."

For the Government of the Azores, this revision is intended to improve the access of the Azorean population, from any island, to flight connections to Mainland Portugal and Madeira at a competitive price, allowing the entry of new operators to bring gains in terms of service quality and reduce accessibility costs.

The Regional Government also aims to promote the air cargo sector, particularly in the transport of perishable goods and fresh produce with the exceptional conditions available for the transport of this type of cargo.

In the area of maritime transport, the Government of the Azores intends to continue its efforts to integrate the Azores port in a trans-European transport network and create an Atlantic hub in Praia da Vitória Port to become a platform for cargo distribution from and to Europe. The strategies for this area also include the revitalisation of the ship repair sector with the recovery of Madalena do Pico shipyard in order to employ local labour force and create new businesses.

Vítor Fraga also said that the procedures to merge Transmaçor and Atlânticoline will start this year and construction of two vessels for the transport of passengers and vehicles for the Central Group islands will be also concluded by this year. According to him, the Government will also establish a public service obligation scheme and promote the creation of Regional Traffic to boost inter-island operators and expand operations to the entire archipelago. Moreover, the strategy for maritime transport also includes the creation of a regular route for the transport of passengers and goods in a roll-on/roll off vessel between Central Group islands with balanced fares to regulate the market.

The Government also intends to complete several ongoing works in the ports of Madalena, São Roque and Praia, Graciosa, and conduct the necessary studies for the expansion works of Porto da Casa on the island of Corvo.

With regard to the public works sector, Vítor Fraga said that the Government of the Azores "is preparing a series of legislative initiatives with the purpose of adapting construction costs to the climate patterns of the Azores and, thus, increase the profitability of the construction sector." Moreover, the Government is also "developing the Public Works Charter and creating a catalogue featuring the Region's endogenous products."

A series of measures will be implemented with the aim of reducing the costs of constructions companies, including in the testing and calibration system of weighing instruments, callipers or the CE Marking Pack. The Government will also create the Support Office for Quality and CE Marking.

In the area of technology, Vítor Fraga announced that construction of the first building of the São Miguel technological park should be concluded by later this year and the Government will move forward with the definition of the development plan for Terceira technological park, which will be targeted to the field of biotechnology and to the attraction of external regions to the Azores.

The Regional Secretary said that the optical fibre cable connection to Flores and Corvo will be completed during 2013.

In regard to the energy sector, "the Government intends to foster the use of alternative energies and boost energy efficiency." The government official stressed that "an ambitious project classified as PIR (Project of Regional Interest) will be implemented in conjunction private entities to install photovoltaic panels in all public building across the archipelago, which will reduce energy costs and allow the sale of energy to the Regional Electricity Company. This initiative will also "prevent the emission of 2,196 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 944 thousand litres of gasoline not consumed."

The Regional Secretary also announced that the necessary steps have been taken towards the implementation of a new electricity rate that allows consumers to benefit from more affordable prices on weekends and holidays, which correspond to the empty hours of consumption. This measure will benefit the entire Region.

In the case of fuels, the Government aims to consolidate the storage capacity, increase competition in the sector and reduce transport costs as well as the import of liquid and gaseous fuels.