The Azores will receive the distinction of ECTAA's Preferred Destination of the Year 2014, thus becoming the "Preferred Destination" of the European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations (ECTAA) next year.

"The Azores will benefit from a series of actions intended to disseminate the information and promotional materials of our destination, such as the ECTAA site, newsletters, public presentations and other initiatives." In addition, the Region "will also have the possibility of establishing contacts with travel agents and tour operators that are part of this association as well as with all ECTAA members," stated the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport. The government official spoke during the presentation ceremony of the agreement signed between the Government of the Azores and ECTAA that was held on Pico last Sunday.

"Actions such as this help us building the path towards success and turning the Azorean tourism sector into an increasingly sustainable sector, thus promoting an open agenda with activities that will be carried out during the year of the implementation of the protocol, i.e., the year of 2014," stressed Vítor Fraga.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism revealed that "ECTAA will organise in Ponta Delgada its biennial meeting" in June 2014, adding that the Azores "will not only participate in the event, but will also take part in its organisation by contributing with ideas and projects."

Vítor Fraga also noted that "this protocol, in addition to bringing all benefits to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, supports our views regarding the promotion of the archipelago as a quality tourist destination."

In March this year, the Region became the "Preferred Destination" of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (APAVT), a distinction that is now reinforced with the agreement signed with ECTAA, which enhances the projection of the Azores Destination at a European level.

In this context, Vítor Fraga praised "ECTAA's initiative of joining our tourist destination at the right time by selecting it as the preferred destination of the year 2014." The government official also stressed "the role played by the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism either in the streamlining of this link between the Azorean Government and ECTAA or in the choice of the Azores as APAVT's preferred destination in 2013."

For the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport," both protocols demonstrate that the Azores are an asset for the tourism sector and that we know on who we can rely."