The Ponta Delgada Port welcomes tomorrow about 5000 passengers with the port of calls of cruise ships Norwegian Epic and Oriana.

As usual on these occasions, the Regional Secretariat for the Economy, through the S. Miguel tourism office, has developed an animation programme to welcome these large number of visitors.

For the Regional Secretary for the Economy, Vasco Cordeiro, such events "reinforce the importance of Portas do Mar, demonstrating that the Government has made the right choice when invested in cruise tourism as a means of attracting visitors to the Azores, which is an asset for all."

"These ships contribute to an increase in trade revenues not only in Ponta Delgada, but also the on entire island of São Miguel as these visitors often choose to go on excursions to the most important tourist sites," the Secretary stated, recalling that "the promotion of cruise tourism is not only addressed to Ponta Delgada, but also to Horta, where the redevelopment of the seafront is taking place, and to Angra do Heroísmo with the construction project of a cruise terminal, currently under public discussion."

Tomorrow, in addition to the installation of a welcome desk at the Portas do Mar maritime terminal, the programme includes the distribution of tourist information on arrival as well as the performance of a musical group in various locations of Ponta Delgada, mainly at Portas do Mar and "Portas da Cidade" (City Gates).

With the collaboration of the Tourism and Hotel School, several students, duly identified, will be placed in the main tourist hot spots of Ponta Delgada to provide information to all visitors.

It is also important to stress that most of these passengers will participate in several tours around S. Miguel, organised by the respective travel agencies, involving about four dozen buses.

The arrival of Norwegian Epic, the world's third largest cruise ship, is scheduled for 7 AM. This ship, carrying 3046 passengers and 1707 crew, will stay at the Portas do Mar until 5 PM.

Oriana, from P&O Cruises, is expected by 7:30 AM at the Commercial Pier of Ponta Delgada, with departure scheduled for 6 PM. This ship carries 1749 passengers and 830 crew. This port of call is part of a 34 night cruise with departure from Southampton on September 27, being Ponta Delgada the last port of call of this route.