The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated in Ponta Delgada that SATA Rallye Açores is "a great journey towards the promotion of the Azores Destination," stressing that it decisively contributes to the promotion of the archipelago.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a visit to the Rally Operations Centre (COR) on Saturday, Vítor Fraga stressed that this competition "provides a decisive contribution to the goals we want to achieve: promote the visibility of the Azores Destination among the main tourism markets and increase tourism flows."

The Regional Secretary recalled the extended television coverage by Eurosport as well as the 150 promotional spots that have aired and will continue to air on this TV channel.

For Vítor Fraga, the fact that the Region has managed to ensure the inclusion of SATA Rallye Açores in ERC (European Rally Championship) for at least two years "will further contribute to the accomplishment our goals because the success of these initiatives is dependent on their consolidation."
"The predictability of the event is one of the differentiating factors that may boost the economic development associated with this competition," said the government official.

According to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, "there are tour operators, especially in the Spanish market, which are planning to increase their offer for next year so that they may bring groups to watch SATA Rallye Açores."

"This year, over three thousand people came to the Region. This figure only includes the teams participating in the rally, television crews and the event organisation. There were also a considerable number of people who travelled to the Azores to watch the event and actively participate in it as spectators."
For Vítor Fraga, the data clearly reveal "the relevance of this competition."

Moreover, the Regional Secretary stressed the "great involvement of local entities," adding that SATA Rallye Açores "is an initiative that naturally requires the involvement of the event organisation, the Regional Government or and businesspeople, who should seize the potentialities of these events to boost their activities."

"One of the main goals of the Regional Government for the tourism sector is to boost its capacity to generate wealth and bring added value to the Region. We must seize the potentialities of these events," said Vítor Fraga.