He does not promise to get more money, nor to end the tolls on Via do Infante, but he guarantees that he will fight for the interests of the region, in this and other fields, with the Central Government. Since this Friday afternoon, Desidério Silva has been the acting president of the Regional Tourism Authority of the Algarve (ERTA), after being sworn in at a ceremony that took place at the headquarters of this institution, in Faro.
On the sidelines of the session, speaking to journalists, Desidério Silva preferred not to make promises that the country's economic situation does not recommend, but stated that he does not intend to stop defending what he thinks is best for the region. "I know some doors, some paths and I'll try to shake things up to see if they get better," he pledged.
As for the demand for the suspension of tolls on Via do Infante, Desidério Silva says that “because we want it to end, it doesn't mean that we will succeed”. “I've also talked about tourist VAT several times, but it's not over yet. But the fact is that there are issues that have to be minimized because they are obstacles to the region's competitiveness as a tourist destination. There are issues here that have to be put on the table, regardless of the results», he considered.
Soon after taking office, Desidério Silva bet on a conciliatory speech, but he did not fail to warn that he wants the Algarve to have a more active voice in decisions that affect this sector of activity. The new president of ERTA recalled that Algarve Tourism «has never been so talked about and awarded» but, at the same time, there is a lack of a government policy to promote it, in what he considered to be a paradox.
Desidério Silva reminded journalists that «the Algarve is the largest tourist region in the country» and that what has been done in its promotion «is not enough». "Now, after taking office, I will speak with the Government and with those who have this responsibility to say what are my reasons" to ask for a reinforcement in the promotion, he said.
In this field, he defended the promotion of tourism in the Algarve, not only in traditional markets, but also in new markets. “It is important not to drop the traditional ones, but it is also necessary to make a greater effort in those where there is not so much investment, but which we already realize are important”, he explained.
In his speech, Desidério Silva had already announced his intention to make “a specific promotion plan for the French market”, but this will not be the only target of ERTA's new management. Also because there are markets “that are willing to come”, but that are bumped up by the lack of direct flights, accessibility and promotion. “I've already had that experience in Sweden and Finland, so I think it's an important issue to deal with,” he said.
In these more distant destinations, the emphasis is on opening direct flights to the Algarve and, although there is no certainty that local operators are willing to open new routes, it is always worth trying, considered the new president of ERTA. “My intention is to make the effort and go looking for it. I don't know if the result will be what I want, but I also know that the way to find some solutions is to go looking for them», he said.
Complements to Sun and Beach should be promoted more
In his inauguration speech, Desidério Silva placed great emphasis on complementary products to Sol e Praia, which despite considering that it will always be the main product in the region, can benefit from the exploration of other market niches, especially during the low season.
Investing more in nature, rural, cultural, incentive, health and senior tourism, as well as more structured golf and nautical tourism, was a commitment made and reinforced on the sidelines of the session.
«That offer already exists out there. Many are neither promoted nor recognized. I think that maybe there is no need for investment. It is necessary to find a way to say that they exist, how they can be complementary and arrange routes that pass through these places…but, there, the municipalities have a fundamental role», he said.
Previously, Desidério Silva had already defended an approach to the Alentejo, to enhance infrastructures such as the Via Algarviana, the Rota Vicentina and the Natural Park of Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina.
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