The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport said today that "it is fundamental to provide a hotel offer that meets the needs of our destination."

Speaking at the ceremony of laying the first stone of the tourism undertaking "Santa Barbara Beach & Mountain Villas" in Ribeira Grande, Vítor Fraga said there were no doubts that in "an increasingly competitive market," it is fundamental to stimulate, improve and diversify specific tourism products, particularly those focused on the unique features of our territory; they are the ones that can make the difference. "

"This is one of the paths we can follow in order to penetrate into several market niches and attract more tourists to the Region, especially those who seeking for new experience and have increased potential of bringing increased added value to the Region."

Vítor Fraga underlined that the sea has become a key component for the development of tourism in the Azores, stressing that the Regional Government is "aware of the increasing importance of this phenomenon and has boosted its economic exploitation in the context of leisure and of tourist activities."

In this context, the tourist undertaking whose construction begins now "will certainly be an asset for regional tourism. This tourism complex will provide accommodation and, due to its location, it will be essentially directed to the organisation of leisure and tourist animation activities. Moreover, this project also has the potential of "promoting the organisation of other international events in the Region, particularly those related to sea sports such as surf."

For Vítor Fraga, "the excellence of its location in an area with a huge tourism potential, the exceptional landscape and environmental value of Santa Bárbara Beach and its innovative features fulfil the expectations of booming market segments."

"The Regional Government believes that this type of project, which leverages the natural features of our islands, greatly contributes to the qualification and improvement of the regional tourism offer, which will meet, in due time, the requirements of demand and promote our image as a tourist destination abroad," stressed the government official.

According to Vítor Fraga, this project "confirms the path we want to follow," a path towards the improvement and diversification of the regional tourism offer." It "continues to inspire confidence among entrepreneurs, who, as clearly shown here, have put their initiative, skills and creativity at the service of the sector.