Network of approved trails on Terceira Island "will double" this year, announced Vítor Fraga
The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced in Angra do Heroísmo that the network of approved trails on Terceira Island "will grow from five to eight trails" in the course of this year. It will increase from 28.5 kilometres to 58.5 kilometres, which represents "the doubling of the current supply." As he revealed, one of these trails, "Rocha do Chambre," opened this week.
The Regional Secretary spoke Thursday at the presentation of the 17th Angrajazz Festival, stressing the existence of several factors on the island of Terceira that should be "valued and boosted." In this regard, the government official pointed the following factors: the historical and cultural wealth; the historical area of Angra do Heroísmo classified as World Heritage; popular festivities, including Sanjoaninas and Praia Festival; Holy Spirit "impérios"; gastronomy; speleological experiences, namely the "Gruta do Natal" and "Algar do Carvão"; archaeological diving, nautical tourism, which takes advantage of the excellent conditions of Praia da Vitória bay, and hiking trails.
"In fact, these are some of the base-factors that should underpin the development of tourism products provided by our businesspeople, because these are the factors that may influence those who decide their holiday destination and choose us over other destinations," said the government official.
Vítor Fraga also stressed that "today we live in a new reality as a result of a new accessibility model that has improved the access to our Region at lower costs." Even though this is not a differentiating factor in the promotion of the archipelago as a tourist destination, it "allows us to have access to new market segments that focus on online communication and require from us a communication strategy directed to our potential visitors."
"This is an opportunity we cannot waste," the Regional Secretary warned, stressing that this opportunity also "carries some obligations."
"It also requires that we develop marketing strategies and, in the case of private entities, sales strategies based on digital and social media platforms with the very clear purpose of attracting potential visitors," said the government official.
According to Vítor Fraga, "the effort required from private entities to access these new market segments has an effective return, which, in turn, has a positive impact on the profitability of their business. Moreover, these entities should "invest in the promotion and differentiation of their products, which is a fundamental step to provide an effective response to trends in demand."
The Regional Secretary also noted that the Regional Government will support the creation and implementation of the Tourism Activities Plan on the island of Terceira.
"A tourist destination is naturally built with full joint efforts between public and private entities, as evidenced by the festival we are presenting today."Hence, the Regional Government will continue to develop this work together with our businesspeople, always bearing in mind that the work of carried out by some can never replace the work of others," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary for Tourism reminded that the Azores "are clearly a nature tourist destination, whose offer is mainly based on natural, building and cultural heritage."
"The diversity and differentiating factors of each of our islands are truly instrumental to the promotion of what we want to become as a tourist destination," said the government official.
Vítor Fraga congratulated the Angra Jazz Cultural Association for its "pioneering and also ambitious spirit, which demonstrates, in this specific case, the artistic and cultural dynamics we want to boost in the archipelago at all levels.
"Angra Jazz has become a national and international reference. In fact, it is one of the best jazz festivals in our country, one of the best jazz festivals in Europe and probably one of the best jazz festivals around world," said Vítor Fraga. This festival is also "a reference for the promotion of the archipelago in full low season. The event also brings the additional advantage to project the Region, in general, and the island of Terceira, in particular, at a national and international level. On the other hand, this event has the potential to attract tourism flows that are directly associated with the event, thus mitigating the effects of seasonality."