The Regional Director for Tourism stated in Vila do Porto that the protocol signed between Atlânticoline and Ilha do Sol Society, owner of Colombo Hotel and Grupo Ciprotur, will increase the flow of tourists to the island of Santa Maria.

 João Bettencourt attended, on behalf of the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport, the signing of this partnership agreement aimed at the promotion of tourism on Santa Maria. The government official stressed that the partnership between the public sector and the private sector "will contribute to the achievement of the common goal towards the increase of tourism on the island of Santa Maria, thus allowing the local sector to keep up with the growth of tourism in the Azores."

 The Regional Director assured that the Government of the Azores will continue working so that "tourism becomes an increasingly sustainable sector, and join efforts with entrepreneurs to build a common path in the Azores destination."

 The signing of this protocol is "an excellent example of this commitment and is intended to create the conditions towards the sustained and equitable development of the sector."

 "The potential of each of our islands, the work of our entrepreneurs and the commitment of the Government will encourage the further growth of this sector, which has become a pillar of the development of the Azores", said João Bettencourt.