The President of the Government emphasised the reduction of seasonality in regional tourism in recent years. However, he warned that the growth recorded in this sector cannot mesmerise us, because there are still challenges to win.
 
"As for the reduction of seasonality, if we compare the IATA winter 2012-2013 with the last winter, the number of overnight stays doubled in the archipelago," said Vasco Cordeiro, who spoke at the opening of the rural tourism accommodation "Casas dos Incensos" on Pico Island.
 
With regard to the IATA winter 2012-2013, the archipelago registered last year more than 180 thousand overnight stays in all types of accommodation, representing a growth of about 95 percent.
 
"It is important that we should not let ourselves to be mesmerised by growth of tourism figures. Tourism is not an end in itself; it has contribute to the goals towards employment creation and wealth generation in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
On the second day of the Government's statutory visit to the island of Pico, the President of the Government stressed that the strategic investment in the tourism sector should, therefore, safeguard the essential aspect of the sustainability of the Azores as a destination, not just environmental, but from the perspective how this sector is structured and developed.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, despite the positive developments in various tourism indicators, there are still several challenges, including the need to ensure that all growth proceeds smoothly from an environmental, cultural and social standpoint.
 
"More than providing tourists to enjoy the Azores, we want to bring tourists to the Azores so that they can share with us what the Azores have to offer," stressed the President of the Government. According to him, there are situations that should always deserve permanent analysis and proper correction when that is necessary.