The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism highlighted the Azores Grand Prix - São Miguel Tour for leveraging the potential of cycling, either road or mountain biking, as a tourism product. This year's edition will involve the participation of 100 athletes.
Marta Guerreiro spoke in Lagoa at the presentation of the event included in the Cycl’in Azores 2019 programme. On the occasion, she highlighted, "with great satisfaction, the beginning of another edition that will make the Azores, once again, a privileged place for the practice of sports, while promoting its reputation as an Active Nature Destination. This fits perfectly into the action of the Strategic Plan and Marketing for the Azores Tourism with regard to the investment in internationally renowned events that will project the Azores to a much wider promotional context.
From May 17 to 19, athletes will cover more than 300 Km, "which corresponds to almost all the main roads and places of São Miguel Island, being in close contact with people and places, a very specific aspect of this sport. The stages on the road are the most popular of cycling competitions worldwide," emphasised the government official.
The Secretary for Tourism also offered a word to the Azores Cycling Association that, "besides this event, other sporting events will be held throughout this year not only on this island, but also on the islands of Terceira, Faial, São Jorge, Santa Maria and Pico." According to her, we will have the opportunity to "disseminate our destination, and for that reason we have supported the global project of the Cycl'in Azores 2019."
"It is with great satisfaction that the Regional Government regards all the projects that raise the Azores to prominence by turning their special features into their main potentialities of development, that is, making our natural environment the main venue of unique experiences," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary also emphasised that "these competitions demonstrate the privilege of discovering the true essence of the Azores, exploring their innumerable landscape features while revealing other significant aspects, namely the gastronomy or the hospitality of the Azorean people."