The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport said the island of Santa Maria has been keeping up with the positive development of the regional tourism sector, which is the "result of a joint work that has been developed by public and private entities."
 
"While it is true that the first five months of the year reflect an increase of 36% of overnights stays in traditional hotels in the Region, Santa Maria registered a growth of 34.7%," Vítor Fraga said, adding that the month of May saw "an increase of 89.7% in overnight stays."
 
Vítor Fraga spoke on the sidelines of the opening of the rural tourist undertaking "Casa dos Tomarinhos" in Santo Espírito. The ceremony was presided over by the Vice-President of the Government, Sérgio Ávila.
 
The Secretary for Tourism also noted that "there is a cumulative growth of 67.2% in traditional hotels" during this term, adding that, "in the various types of accommodation, this growth is at 83.1% in 2016 compared to 2012."
 
"We are dealing here with a sector that has a great dynamics and has been increasing its offer," said the government official.
 
According to Vítor Fraga, the increase in the tourism offer is not just evidenced in quantitative terms, but also in terms of quality. In fact, it "is in line with the recommendations of the Strategic and Marketing Plan of the Azores Tourism (PEMTA)." The latter aims to improve efficiency in "increasing tourism flows" and ensure the quality of the tourism offer in "an ongoing improvement in its performance to surprise those who visit" the Azores.
 
"The strategic plan outlined until 2020 is a plan made for all. According to it, nature tourism is our main tourism product that is being developed on all islands in a perspective of complementary of their tourism offer," said Vítor Fraga. The government official noted that, in the case of Santa Maria, the main tourist attractions are "mainly related to geotourism, including fossils and diving with manta rays; it is the only island where the sun and sea are presented as the main activity to be developed within the island's tourism offer."
 
As for tourism promotion, PEMTA "clearly favours direct contact with potential tourists, highlighting the differentiating aspects of each island and promoting a culture of service in the Azores across society," said Vítor Fraga. It is intended to "reflect an Azorean concept of cool and cosy, according to which accommodation units should respect the stipulated concept and aesthetics criteria, with all the comfort that building and architectural solutions allow, and the international standards on green building."