Regional Director for Tourism stresses importance of sporting events in boosting tourism flows
The Regional Director for Tourism stressed the importance of sporting events in boosting tourism flows throughout the year, highlighting the Azores Rally Championship and the Azores Rally Trophy.
"Motor sports, in general, and rallies, in particular, are a driving force in our archipelago, generating a very interesting dynamics throughout the year. They contribute to boosting tourism flows that, although mostly internal, are very important for local economies, even more so as they are held mostly outside the tourism high season," said Marlene Damião.
The Regional Director spoke Friday at the prize-delivery ceremony held in Ponta Delgada to honour "those who stood out the most in the competitions organised this year under the Portuguese Car and Karting Federation."
According to Marlene Damião, these events promote “exchanges between the people of our islands.” They also “stimulate local dynamics, quite interesting for local economy and tourism, which arises from overnight stays, food and other activities associated with the movement of participants and supporters."
“The Regional Government has partnered with this type of entertainment events, reinforcing the belief that, since tourism is a cross-cutting activity, all contributions are valid for its sustainability. Accordingly, it should be effectively a strategic sector for the development of the Region," added the government official.
On the occasion, Marlene Damião stressed “the joint work carried out by the Federation and all the regional clubs involved in the organisation of these events, which has been raising the competitive level of regional rally competitions year after year."