The 39th National Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies will be held on the island of Terceira in 2013 with the support of the Regional Government.
The Regional Secretary for the Economy and the President of that association signed today in Angra do Heroísmo a protocol for the organisation of the event.
Luísa Schanderl said that "seven years after the organisation of the last APAVT Congress in the Azores (São Miguel) - one of the most important events in the sector - our responsibility is greater when it comes to meet the high expectations already generated by the organisation of the event."
For the government official, APAVT "plays a key role in the development of national tourism by promoting the exchange of ideas among its members, presenting proposals in several areas in order to anticipate market changes and prepare the sector for future challenges. Thus, this association contributes significantly to the entire tourism sector.
Moreover, "the organisation of this event is of utmost importance for the Azores, where hundreds of travel agents will be gathered to become acquainted with our destination as well as with the innovations introduced."
Nevertheless, Luísa Schanderl stressed that the recognition of tourism as one of the cornerstones in the development of regional economy "is not new. For the Government, entrepreneurs should continue to trust in this sector as it contributes to strengthening "the sustainability of our business development and the employment structure in the archipelago."
The Azores tourism "is distinguished by a quality offer based on natural resources, untouched nature, unique landscapes and the important building and cultural heritage." Our region has been sought after as congress destination, the Secretary said, stressing the large number of events organised in the archipelago, usually outside the high season.
"Nowadays, clients seek different experiences, which require new destinations or a new perspective on the existing destination," stated the Regional Secretary. The government official stressed the importance of stimulating, qualifying and diversifying the tourism offer as well as the development of specific tourism products "in an increasingly competitive market." According to the government official, the development of products should "take into account the specific and unique features of our territory. In fact, these products should distinguish themselves for their unique features with the purpose of increasing our competitiveness as tourist destination, innovating and modernisation the regional tourism sector."