The Regional Secretary Tourism and Transport announced yesterday that the Government of the Azores will promote twelve new restaurant and bar service courses, covering more than 240 participants.

During the speech delivered at the opening of the restaurant "Pé na Areia" on Milícias Beach, Vítor Fraga stated that these courses will "improve the skills of people working in this area. Hence, we will have a better service and we will have the conditions to provide a service of excellence. This will contribute to the accomplishment of a fundamental goal, which is the sustainability of the tourism sector."

Of the twelve new courses, six will be level-4 courses (level equivalent to the 12th form), four will be held under the "Reativar" programme and two will be taught by the Ponta Delgada Tourism and Hotel School (EFTH) for students who have completed the 12th form. The latter is directed to people with training in areas where the levels of employability are low. With these two courses, "they will have the possibility to reorient their life to a sector that is expected to flourish and create new job and success opportunities for those who will be part of it," said the Secretary.

The Regional Secretary also emphasised the importance of the restaurant sector as "a key sub-sector" in the tourism industry. In fact, it has the capacity to generate wealth and create better conditions for those working in the sector. Moreover, this sub-sector has a significant impact in other areas, such as the food industry, and plays a key role in creating unforgettable experiences for all visitors.

"This does not happen by and does not happen by itself," Vítor Fraga said, pointing out the importance of proper training in all areas "that have a direct or indirect contact with all those who visit us, i.e., with all the tourists visiting the Region."

During the opening of this restaurant, the Regional Secretary highlighted the contribution of businesspeople and private entities to the revitalisation and recovery of public spaces that were abandoned, as was the case, especially when this location is "unique and offers fantastic conditions."

"In fact, we are living a symbolic moment that marks the beginning of a new era in the tourism sector. It also demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and dynamics of our businesspeople," the Regional Secretary said, recalling the Regional Government’s commitment to support regional entrepreneurs.

"We will always be at your side, as we have always been and will continue to be, because we believe that this successful path is determinant to the development of the Region, especially of the tourism. However, we can only follow it together," said Vítor Fraga.
 
"With the Government of the Azores no one is left behind. We work for the benefit of all Azoreans. We work with everyone so that your success and the success of each one of us be the success of us all," concluded the Regional Secretary.