President of the Government receives President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, received the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada (CCIPD), Mário Fortuna, at an audience held today.

During the audience, the President of the Government voiced his opposition to the implementation of a regional tourist tax, after joint reflection with the CCIPD, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP) and the Association of Local Accommodation of the Azores (ALA).

José Manuel Bolieiro also stressed the importance of ensuring that municipalities remain responsible for creating tourist taxes. In this regard, he considered that local authorities should handle this matter, aligning it with territorial competitiveness.

"This must be done through local government and territorial competitiveness. The Government of the Azores is clear and objective: it neither considers it opportune nor appropriate to create a regional tourist tax," noted José Manuel Bolieiro.

The President of the Government also reiterated his commitment to working together with organisations representing the tourism and economic sectors to promote the sustainable development of the Azores, without burdening visitors or compromising the competitiveness of the destination.