The Azores were distinguished by the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP) as the Regional Tourism Entity that contributed the most to the development of their Region.
 
The award was delivered to the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport during the 2nd AHRESP Awards Gala, held Wednesday in Lisbon.
 
Vítor Fraga thanked AHRESP and all those who voted in the Azores, making possible the election as Regional Tourism Entity in 2016.
 
The Regional Secretary for Tourism added that this award "should be shared with all the Azores who work on a daily basis, coordinating joint efforts between public and private entities, to contribute to the development of the sector, making it more sustainable and a key aspect in the Region's development. In this regard, the government official that the award should be shared with all those who work with the Azores Destination in the main markets.
 
For Vítor Fraga, the Azores regard these awards as "extra factors of motivation" to continue to "working continuously in the development of the sector."
 
The Azores competed with all the country's tourism regions, namely with Porto and Norte Region, Centro Region, Lisbon, Alentejo and Ribatejo, Algarve and Madeira.