The construction of a cruise terminal in Angra do Heroísmo is “the starting point for the development of a strategy to boost the World heritage status, enabling the city to become a tourist destination, defended the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Angra do Heroísmo on Tuesday night.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke at a debate promoted by the Historical Society of Terceira Island, under the theme “Angra Transatlantic City – What future?” (Angra Cidade Transatlântica – Que futuro?) emphasised that the decision to build this infrastructure is “not the result of an act of imitation in relation to other investments or of any type compensation for these same investments,” but the result of the unique features that Angra do Heroísmo has to offer in the cruise tourism sector, such as an easy access to the classified urban area, which is an added value to the valorisation of the classification awarded by UNESCO.

The Regional Secretary for the Economy defended, however, that “the creation can greatly contribute to the tourism development of Angra do Heroísmo, but its existence, by itself, will not contribute for the accomplishment of this goal.”

Regarding the infrastructure itself, whose project will be submitted by July this year, Vasco Cordeiro informed that there several ongoing studies related to the technical aspects, mainly the preliminary study of the construction of the passenger terminal, road traffic and environmental impact. In addition, he added that “special emphasis will be given to the archaeology works that might be necessary” and assured that the Government “will comply with the legislation for the protection of this heritage.”

Vasco Cordeiro justified the choice for the location of the Cruise Terminal as “there are several infrastructures in this location that can be used” and indicated that the studies that have been developed have demonstrated that the project “has economic viability, which is absolutely necessary to ensure the Community funding for its construction.

The Regional Secretary for the Economy also reminded that the construction of a Cruise Terminal in Angra do Heroísmo is part “of the Government’s strategy for the Sea and for the promotion of the Azores destination for cruise ships that cross the Atlantic as well as for the organisation of theme cruises.

In this context, Vasco Cordeiro considered the possibility of joining efforts with the Praia da Vitória Port, which will be predominantly directed to goods transport, while Angra do Heroísmo will focus on passenger transport with regard to cruises and the inter-island maritime transport.

The Regional Secretary for the Economy reminded that the proposal for the construction of a cruise terminal in Angra do Heroísmo was not contested by the opposition parties and was voted in two separate elections.