The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced on Sunday the launching of "theme weeks" under the Azores Destination in 2014.

Speaking at the closing session of the 39th Congress of the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (APAVT), Vítor Fraga stressed that these "theme weeks" are targeted at the national market and they consist in the provision of "specific air fares, free transport of sports equipments and specialised services, related to each activity."

"We will start with the Azores Surf Week from February 15 to 23, the Azores Golf Week between March 8 and 16 and the Azores Walk Week from March 23 to 30," revealed the Regional Secretary. The government official added that "each of these weeks will have its own media campaign in the press and specialised websites; it will also be disseminated among schools and/or clubs associated to each sport."

Addressing at travel agents attending the APAVT Congress, the Regional Secretary for Tourism said he expects the collaboration of everyone "to promote and boost this opportunity, as we have done in other areas. This initiative will, naturally, continue in other periods of the year, being associated with several products created under our tourism offer."

Vítor Fraga also revealed to members of APAVT that the Azores will be featured as Guest National Destination at the 2014 edition of the Lisbon Tourism Market to take place from March 12 to 16.

"This will be the moment to disseminate in the national market what we truly are and what we have to offer," the Regional Secretary stated, stressing the Azores are "a Destination rooted in Nature that pursues clearly defined environmental preservation policies; it is suited to families and all tourists looking for active holidays.  In addition, this "Destination is also capable of promoting unique experiences, reflecting good emotions and providing those who visit us with unforgettable moments that will instil on them a permanent desire of returning."

Moreover, Vítor Fraga mentioned the implementation of the Integrated Transport in 2014. "In addition to assuring the coordination of timetables, which will assure the connectivity between different types of transport in accordance with the patterns set by the sector in the Region, a logistics system will also be developed. This system will allow the shipping of luggage between air and maritime transport, assuring that all users will have the possibility of collecting their luggage at the final destination, whenever they use intermodal transport."