"My Azores, My Love" programme gives boost to domestic tourism, says Marta Guerreiro
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated in Ponta Delgada that the "My Azores, My Love" programme has given "a real boost to domestic tourism" since 2014, encouraging Azorean residents over 60 years to travel within the archipelago.
"Since the first edition, this programme has been an example of success in its implementation, with ever-increasing levels of demand, having already provided thousands of Azorean residents with the possibility of enjoying complete travel packages on any island of the archipelago," said Marta Guerreiro.
The Regional Secretary spoke at João Paulo II Airport at the departure of the first group of the 2019 edition of the senior tourism programme, making a positive assessment of the 2018 edition. On the occasion, she added that "this year, once again, registrations have exceeded expectations as all vacancies were filled in the first phase for the submission of applications, having even exceeded the number of vacancies."
This low and medium-season programme will involve 29 groups in this edition, reaching about 1,000 people from all islands of the archipelago, which will represent an increase of 6,000 overnight stays in regional hotel units.
For the Secretary for Tourism, "this measure represents another excellent form of distributing tourism flows throughout all islands and mitigates the seasonality of the sector." Moreover, it is "a responsibility of the Regional Government with regard to the sustainable development of tourism, especially at a social level."
In turn, the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, who was at the departure of the first group, highlighted the importance of this initiative as it provides Azoreans in this age group with the possibility of visiting the Azores, accompanied by monitors, with diversified activity plans.
"The first group of this year's edition begins their trip today and, in this context, the success of any action lies in the sharing of experiences," Andreia Cardoso stressed, noting that "it is important to see and hear what participants feel about the programme. We want pass on the message that our islands are unique in their beauty, which should be disseminated and appreciated by all Azoreans, regardless of their age."