The President of the Regional Government opened today the new Graciosa Tourism Office in Santa Cruz, where he announced the creation of vocational training courses in this sector, covering all islands. They are scheduled to begin at the end of high season.
 
"This measure will reach all islands of the archipelago. It represents another important step taken towards a complementary response to the needs arising from the growth of tourism and, thus, to the demand for qualified human resources.
 
On the first day of the statutory visit to Graciosa, the President of the Government stated that the Hotel and Tourism School is concluding the plan for seven courses, which are scheduled to begin at the end of the high season. They will comprises areas such as basic and advanced cuisine, catering, softskills dedicated to the foreign and domestic costumers, digital marketing and housekeeping.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, these courses follow a survey of the training needs that were carried out on each island in conjunction with the Municipal Councils, Chambers of Commerce and some business associations.
 
"It will contribute to the qualification of a sector that needs to reinforce its focus on the training of human resources due to the growth at an unparalleled pace in its history. The courses will promote the entry of new professionals into the sector as well as the training oriented towards the updating of skills or retraining," said the President of the Government.
 
Vasco Cordeiro added that the Government has already established a partnership with the Institute for Tourism Planning and Development and AHRESP - Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal with a view to the implementation of an Awareness-Raising Programme for a Culture of Service and a Gastronomic Heritage Enhancement Programme; the latter is already in progress.
 
In his speech, the President of the Government also pointed out that, when we see the positive situation of tourism in the Azores, it is necessary to take into account its most important guideline: the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the sector.
 
"All these components of sustainability contribute to the full optimisation of the benefits that tourism brings to our Region, allowing this growth to endure in time and not be something limited to a certain period of time," said the President of the Government.
 
Vasco Cordeiro stressed that this sustainability must take into consideration the economic sustainability of investments made in this area as well as the social sustainability stemming from a diligent, concerted action and without any fear regarding the challenges that are yet to overcome in terms of quality employment. Moreover, environmental sustainability should be taken into account insofar as it guarantees the conditions for the Region to have an important that will benefit its development.
 
Regarding the Graciosa Tourism Office, Vasco Cordeiro added that it falls within a gradual process towards the qualification of the public infrastructures that the Regional Government is implementing throughout the Region.
 
"In this context, the Government is working to renew the image and concept of tourism offices, representing an estimated investment of nearly one million Euros. It will contribute to the further improvement of a strong, unique and consolidated image to ensure the implementation of an integrated network that will be in line with the tourism guidelines for the Azores," said the President of the Government.
 
In addition, there is an ongoing investment in the hiring of human resources for the Regional Tourism Offices. The hiring procedures for 19 workers are currently taking place, favouring the stability of the staff.
 
It will be followed by the crucial investment in the training component of those who welcome tourists, along with the development of new contents available through new technologies, said Vasco Cordeiro.