The Azores are undertaking efforts to become “a reference destination in the nature-based activities,” being “determined to increase their reputation among various markets,” stated the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Berlin on Wednesday.
Vasco Cordeiro, who attended the opening of the International Tourism Fair – ITB Berlin, reminded that “the Azores have been intensely investing in several countries, such as the case of Germany, which is one of the main targets of the promotional strategy developed by the Region for the current year, given the results that have been achieved in recent years.”
Furthermore, “Germany is presently experiencing a situation of economic growth, being a potential market of about 82 million inhabitants with travel habits during holiday time.” In fact, stressed the Regional Secretary for the Economy, “German tourists identify themselves with the type of products the Azores have to offer, so it makes sense to promote a strong presence at this fair.”
ITB Berlin is currently the largest tourism fair of the world, bringing together nearly 11 thousand display stands from 180 countries. The Azores stand is integrated in the Portugal Pavilion.
According to Vasco Cordeiro, the Region intends “to focus on the promotion of maritime activities, such as diving or whale watching, among others, as the Sea is one of the key elements for the assertion of the Azores, compared to other regions.”
For the Regional Secretary “the presence of the Azores is fundamental in this type of events since they make possible the dissemination of our potentialities to the operators attending the event. This fair is also “a very important event for regional businesspeople.”
Furthermore, Vasco Cordeiro highlighted the fact that the participation of the Azores “is particularly relevant this year as this fair is dedicated to eco-tourism and to adventure tourism as well, two categories that correspond to the image that the Region aims to disseminate among the main tourism markets.”
In an interview to Eurosport, Vasco Cordeiro stressed the fact that the Azorean Government has been promoting “sports that somehow correspond to the image that the Region intends to disseminate, such as the case of some international regattas or the Azores rally,” an event broadcast by that sports channel, which “has contributed to raise the Azores to prominence.”
Located at stand 205, Pavilion 2.2, the Azores bring together in this area various entities, such as the Azores Tourism Association (ATA), SATA Internacional and also a dozen private companies of the regional tourism sector.
Despite being primarily addressed at professionals of the sector, the fair will be open to the public on March 12 and 13.