The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated on Pico that the arrival of the first international flight to the island makes this an important day, "taking into consideration the efforts that have been developed, particularly with the most important reform ever made in terms of accessibility."
 
Speaking to journalists after receiving the passengers from the TUI flight that departed from Amsterdam, Netherlands, Vítor Fraga stressed that this link "opens a new European gateway to the Azores" and "falls within a perspective of development for the tourism sector."
 
"Basically, we are taking another step for the industry to continue developing a perspective of equality between all the islands, extending this growth to all islands so that they may benefit from the potentialities brought by tourism flows." This will contribute to "the generation of more wealth and the creation of more jobs," stressed Vítor Fraga.
 
The Secretary for Tourism recalled that the Azores have followed a path over the years "in order to prepare themselves for the consolidation of the tourism industry."
 
For Vítor Fraga, "the 'Triangle' islands (Pico, Faial and São Jorge) are providing a good response, not only those who are directly linked to the tourism industry, but also the population in general. We must not forget that we are all the main points of contact with those who visit us and we have to do the best we can do and know to welcome visitors. Hence, we will instil on them a permanent desire to return and, ultimately, captivate them to be our promoters in their main markets."
 
The Regional Secretary also stressed the importance of the Dutch market, which "has followed a solid path over the years."
 
"We grew about 22% from late 2012 until the end of 2015. This corresponds to over 15 thousand overnight stays and we believe that, with this new flight connections to Pico, we will take another step towards its consolidation," increasing tourism flows from this market to the Azores, stressed Vítor Fraga.