The Azores are present at the 38th FITUR - International Tourism Fair that takes place from Wednesday in Madrid, reinforcing the projection of the tourist destination in one of the main tourism markets in the Region.
FITUR is the largest and most important tourism fair in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. It is directed to professionals and the public in general. At the Azores Destination stand, regional entrepreneurs from the tourism sector are involved in various activities with the aim of consolidating the Spanish market.
PEMTA - Strategic and Marketing Plan of the Azores Tourism confirms the importance and potential of this market as a source of tourism flows to the archipelago. It has shown a significant adherence to the strategic products made available such as nature tourism, nautical tourism, cultural and landscape touring, and health and wellness tourism.
The Spanish market, given the geographical proximity and the growing appetite for the Azores as tourist destination, has been traditionally considered one of the priority markets with regard to the promotion of the Region abroad.
Spain ranks third among international tourism markets, following Germany and the United States. From January to September 2017, this market registered 123 thousand overnight stays in all types of accommodation, representing an increase 27% compared to the same period last year.
The increasing awareness of the Azores as an active tourist destination of exuberant nature aims to strengthen the positioning of the Region in external markets, highlighting its characteristics of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
This has been one of the main priorities in consolidating the tourism markets that are adequate and fitted into the segments defined by PEMTA, such as the case of the Spanish market.
The presence of the Azores in this type of event meets one of the four axes of the Regional Government's programme regarding the effectiveness of tourism promotion, allowing to position the Azores destination in partnerships with the main international organisations of the sector.