The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport challenged today tourism entrepreneurs to invest in the qualification of their collaborators with the aim of combining the renowned quality of experiences and landscapes of the Azores with the excellence of services.

"The enhancement of our tourism offer is one of the key vectors for the construction of a true tourist destination," said Vítor Fraga. The government official stressed that the Azores should "continue to be genuine and sustainable." However, the quality of the destination "should be increasingly associated with the quality of services."

Vítor Fraga spoke at "Portas do Mar" during the public presentation of international traineeships programmes developed by the Tourism and Hotel School (EFTH); the latter has organised international traineeships and exchanges with some countries, including the USA and Denmark.

"In order to become a tourist destination that brings good emotions and feelings, we must serve well those who visit us in order to create a wide set of factors that instil in visitors the desire to return and disseminate the Azores," stressed Vítor Fraga.

Accordingly, the Regional Secretary pointed out the creation of differentiating factors that are able to surpass the expectations of visitors and surprise them positively as the major challenges for the tourism sector.

"The awareness about the importance of quality in this sector, including human resources, is vital, particularly if we have already overcome the phase when we needed to consolidate our tourism offer. Now, we need to ensure and maintain a high quality offer that demonstrates our differentiating factors and is in line with the main features of our Destination," stressed the Regional Secretary.

In his speech, the government official also restated the Government's commitment to continue using all means at its disposal to foster and support initiatives such as those promoted by the Tourism and Hotel School. They contribute to the consolidation of a strategic sector for the development of the Region. In this context, the government official encouraged entrepreneurs to seize the initiatives developed by this school.

"Make the best use of it in order to enhance the qualification of your human resources, which, as we all know, are the cornerstone of all organisations," said Vítor Fraga. The Regional Secretary added that "working with qualified and motivated employees is critical to the success of all those who search for the best every day."

"From our part, the Regional Government will do everything to ensure the preservation of our Destination with determination and care. We hope that these private entities be able to seize the potential of these youngsters by employing them in their companies, which will enhance their offer," stressed the Regional Secretary.