The Regional Energy Secretary, Environment and Tourism stated in Ponta Delgada that the Azorean Government has always sought to listen to the main players on matters concerning the environment in order to combine the best of the policies under development.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke on the sidelines of the meeting of the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, a body made up of about thirty entities. It aims "to respond to the follow-up requests submitted to this entity and report on what has been done in terms of the policies implemented and the results achieved."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that "the Azores have a nature-based tourism," defending that the islands should "have good conditions to offer tourists so that they may have the idea they are visiting a place with environmental concerns."
 
As for the fees to be applied in public areas, Marta Guerreiro said this is one of the topics to be discussed. She stressed that "it cannot be done by the Secretariat alone" since it is necessary to "listen to the players in order to have the best possible solutions."
 
"This is a very delicate issue and has to be analysed because we can only apply these fees when our visitors will have a perception of the value of what they are enjoying," added the government official.
 
Marta Guerreiro admitted that "there are other places where this does not happen and where it is possible," but, at this stage, "it is premature to talk about the places where the fee will be applied.
 
"This must be done with much thought, after listening to people and ensuring quality, so that may be able to apply fees in these areas. The revenue will be invested in the recovery and maintenance of these spaces," said the government official.
 
Marta Guerreiro said that "this is not a widespread issue," noting that "tourists will not leave the Azores with the idea that the destination is expensive for this reason."
 
"We are talking about the enjoyment of park and recreation areas with the appropriate conditions," said the government official.
 
The meeting of the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development will also address the analysis on some areas that are being widely used by tourists, waste treatment and invasive species.