The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs announced today in Vila do Porto that the Government of the Azores is working on a coordinated strategy to boost youth tourism on Santa Maria in 2015.
This strategy requires the coordination of Santa Maria Youth Hostel with the regional, national and international youth hostel networks. Its implementation also depends on the new benefits of the Interjovem Card on air and sea travel in the archipelago as well as on the impact of the new public service obligations for air transport on the flights connections to national and international destinations.
Isabel Rodrigues visited the Santa Maria Youth Hostel today. In the context of this visit, the government official pointed out that the entry into force of the new accessibility model in the Region, where the reduction of travel costs will become a reality, will increase the demand for accommodations units such as Youth Hostels.
By providing youngsters with possibility to benefit from a 50% discount on inter-island air travel through the Interjovem Card, the island of Santa Maria will be increasingly sough-after by younger tourists. From May to October, the accessibility to Santa Maria will be reinforced by maritime transport, with discount fares for card holders.
The investment in field trips and graduation trips is one of the priority areas for 2015. In this regard, the local Youth Hostel will create two accommodation packages addressed at this audience.
The Santa Maria Youth Hostel has been a successful case in the increase of youth tourism, playing a relevant role in the social and cultural revitalisation of Santa Maria. It has registered a total of 12,600 overnight stays since its opening in 2012.
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency also met with Santa Maria Youth Association as well as with the local groups of the National Scouts Association. The meeting addressed the Regional Government's cooperation with youth associations and their contribution to civic and social intervention as well as to the revitalisation of Santa Maria in the areas of culture and sport.