Destination promotion is "key factor" for ongoing development of tourism in the Azores, says Marta Guerreiro
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated in Berlin, Germany, that the promotion of the destination is a "key factor for the ongoing development of tourism in the Azores," a priority always reinforced by the Regional Government.
"Our strategy and our investment will continue to focus on the promotion of the destination," Marta Guerreiro said, adding that "promotion is of great importance to reinforce the Azores' reputation as a Nature Tourism destination in priority markets."
"Even though we are enthusiastic about our potential, we are clearly aware of the great challenges that the regional tourism sector must overcome to continue the path of prosperity that has been following so far," stressed the Regional Secretary. In this regard, she highlighted the Government's commitment "to ensure the distribution of those who visit the archipelago all over the islands and to boost the attractiveness of the destination outside the mid and high season.
"We are now at a turning point due to the reduction of seasonality in a systematic and accelerated pace way in recent years," said the government official. According to her, the "promotion efforts and specific actions for the low season will be maintained towards the consolidation of this strategy."
"Tourism has followed an extraordinary path, reaching sustained levels of growth and achieving a consolidated identity. These results do not happen by chance. They are due to the ongoing efforts of previous Governments and the entire private sector in this area, always bearing in mind that, through tourism, the economic development of the nine islands is possible," stated the government official.
Marta Guerreiro spoke on the sidelines of the Berlin International Fair, which runs until Sunday. On the occasion, she mentioned the importance of the Azores' presence at this event, being "the main tourism fair where there are opportunities to contact with several markets, besides the German, and to take many important new decisions in the sector. "
The German market accounted for 13.2% of total overnight stays in the Azores destination, registering a significant average of 3.90 days while the regional average stands at 3.05 days.
The Regional Secretary stressed that this is a market "where virtually 70% of overnight stays were registered by Traditional Hotels, 24% by Local Accommodation and 4.5% by Rural Tourism." Nevertheless, the demand of German tourists for the latter type of accommodation is the one that registers the highest figures at regional level.