The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated today in Lagoa that the supply of another 20 beds for Rural Tourism on the island of São Miguel and, consequently in the Azores "represents a product that fits perfectly into the strategy for this sector in the Region."
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the opening ceremony of White – Exclusive Suites & Villas, an event presided over by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro. She stressed that this project falls within the "strategy for the qualification of the Azores in a highly competitive sector," which also demonstrates "that tourism in the Azores is consolidating in the right path."
 
This unit is installed in an old 18th century manor house that was recovered and adapted to the new function. It "makes the perfect symbiosis between two of the reference tourist products" in the Azores, namely nature and cultural heritage. According to Marta Guerreiro, they are "essential factors for an exclusivity that should also be one of the brand images" of the archipelago.
 
The Secretary for Tourism said that Lagoa already presents itself as "the second municipality of São Miguel Island in terms of accommodation offer." She added that, with the unit opened today, "its weight is reinforced in the Rural Tourism segment, which is gaining more relevance if we take into consideration the profile of tourists who choose the Azores as their holiday destination."
 
In her speech, Marta Guerreiro also stated that, in recent years, the Regional Directorate for Tourism has assessed and issued favourable opinions on 61 projects for new Rural Tourism units on all islands, except Corvo. This may represent more than 680 beds in this type of accommodation.
 
"Rural Tourism is the starting point for a series of experiences that the Azores offer, being very important in the economic development and social vitality of many locations that are far away from urban centres," said Marta Guerreiro.
 
According to the Regional Secretary, the tourism sector has generated "added value" in the creation of employment and wealth in the Azores, noting that "it is not limited to a certain municipality or to a certain island as the emergence of private investments throughout the region has been quite evident.