"Tourism proves its attractiveness through investments in the sector," says Marta Guerreiro
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stressed that "tourism has proven its attractiveness through investments in the sector," highlighting the growth of the tourism offer "through qualification as clearly visible in quality projects with innovative approaches."
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the end of a visit to "Azul Singular" tourism project. According to her, this is "a reality evidencing the strategy embodied in the Strategic and Marketing Plan of the Azores Tourism that has been included into the decisions of private agents, namely through the creation of small size units aimed at promoting the quality and differentiation of the regional tourism offer."
For the government official, these approaches "are closely linked to another very positive phenomenon: urban and heritage rehabilitation."
"Hotel units increasingly value the experience offered, thus resulting in innovative tourism projects with a clear orientation towards leisure tourism, health and well-being or the encouragement of a closer contact with nature, through extensive green areas for guest enjoyment," said Marta Guerreiro.
The Secretary for Tourism also emphasised the existence of projects based on the concept of "boutique hotel," that is, "projects offering an intimate and welcoming environment, with a high level of comfort and careful design. They offer a personalised service that also recover the legacy of the historical and cultural past of the Azores."
Regarding the "Azul Singular" project, with an overall capacity for 28 campers, the Regional Secretary highlighted its innovative approach, focusing on a closer contact with the surrounding environment given the specificity of its units. It is composed of eight light construction units, two of them in a circular Mongolian style tent and the remaining six in a mixed structure style built in wood and impermeable fabrics, designated as "ata-desata" (tie/untie).
"This establishment stands out in the regional context for being the first in the archipelago to explore the internationally known concept of glamping. It provides good quality facilities with an excellent level of comfort in terms of accommodation as well as common use areas," stated the government official.
Marta Guerreiro highlighted that glamping, which stems from the combination of the word glamour with camping, brings together innovation, ecology and well-being. According to her, it "is fully integrated into the surrounding environment, offering unique and diverse experiences of a closer contact with the biodiversity of space, history, culture, and customs of local people in a high quality, comfortable and sophisticated environment.