The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Environment will promote a Course for Natural Park Guides with the aiming of improving the knowledge of protected areas and the services provided by the guides who lead groups of tourists to these areas.

The course will certify professionals to monitor and guide groups of people to the protected areas located in the archipelago as well as to provide information on the environmental and cultural interpretation of these spaces. This initiative falls within the efforts to improve the quality of services provided by the Azores Natural Parks.

This initiative is the result of a partnership between the Regional Directorate for the Environment and the Azores Tourism, with the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo. The course is due to start on Pico Island on March 27 and will cover following subjects: communication, first aid and rescue techniques, knowledge on natural heritage as well as on historical and cultural heritage, tourism concepts and guidance in the field.

With this initiative, we aim to further improve the qualification of human resources of regional tourism companies, fostering the development of sustainable nature tourism.

For further information on the course, those who interested may consult the website of the Azores Natural Parks or contact the services on the following telephone number 295 216 480. Registrations should be made at the following address: http://parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt/images/pni_pico/Imagens/ficha%20de%20inscricao.pdf.