The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport assured on Thursday that the Government will continue to promote the organisation of "international events" in the Azores, especially those related to the sea, such as diving, surf, windsurf and sailing.

"Hence, we are proud to support the first edition of the European Championship of Underwater Photography on the island of Graciosa," said Vítor Fraga, who spoke during the presentation ceremony of the championship held at the Graciosa Museum.

The organisation of this event, along with others that will be held in Graciosa, such as the Underwater Photography Biennial and the International Underwater Photography Open, is "of huge interest for this island and the Azores as well."

"These events use the potential of the natural features the archipelago and strongly contribute to the enhancement of our tourism offer in specific areas, which boosts our visibility as a tourist destination abroad," stressed the Regional Secretary.

Moreover, this is further evidence that "the Government of the Azores is committed to support activities with a high potential of economic return at a local level and in terms of the promotion of the archipelago abroad."
"Any of the aforementioned events, as well as others, will enhance our visibility in the specific area we want to focus our attention, which can effectively promote a perfect symbiosis between human beings and nature," said Vítor Fraga.

For the Regional Secretary, "these initiatives bring added value to the Region as, in addition to boosting this symbiosis, they also allow us to disseminate it abroad."

In this context, Vítor Fraga reminded the commitment taken on the island of Graciosa a year ago, when he assured that this type of events would be promoted on this island through its inclusion in the promotion channels of the Azores Tourism Association (ATA).

Accordingly, the government official revealed that the 1st European Underwater Photography Championship "will be promoted in fairs such as BTL (Lisbon Tourism Market) and BOOT (Boat Show) in Germany; the latter will feature the presentation of this championship on January 25. This event will be also promoted in the all specialised fairs we will participate and among the tour operators operating in the Azores."

Furthermore, Vítor Fraga also conveyed his hopes that this first edition of the European Championship of Underwater Photography be "the first of many editions in which the Azores will always stand out as a land of sea and people."

The 1st European Championship of Underwater Photography will be held on Graciosa from September 4-7.