The first groups of participants in the initiative "Meus Açores Meus Amores" (My Azores My Love) will travel today to the islands of Santa Maria and Graciosa, starting this year's edition of the senior tourism programme.

In the 2016 edition, which will run until June, the programme involves 31 groups and a total of 1,216 people from all islands of the archipelago, which corresponds to 7,312 overnight stays.

With regard to last year, there has been an increase of nine groups, 276 participants and 1,747 overnight stays.

"Meus Açores Meus Amores" provides Azorean residents over 60 years with the opportunity to benefit from complete travel packages to any island of the archipelago, including flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, entertainment and excursions.

This low and medium season programme is jointly organised by the Regional Secretariats for Tourism and Transport, Social Solidarity and the Azores Social Security Institute. It is primarily aimed at the promotion of domestic tourism among Azorean residents.