The Regional Director for Tourism was in Lisbon, where he attended the premiere of the sequel to the soap opera "Jardins Proibidos," which returns to the screens after 14 years. The soap opera will be partially shot in the Azores.

For João Bettencourt, the fact that part of this soap opera will be shot in the Azores "will rise the archipelago to prominence, similarly to what happened in 2007 with the soap opera 'Ilha dos Amores.'"

After the soap opera was broadcast in 2007, the Region saw a significant increase in the flow of national tourists, who were influenced by the images of the Azores shown on "Ilha dos Amores." This has proved to be a very effective promotion of the archipelago in the national market.

Speaking at the end of the presentation of the cast on Wednesday, João Bettencourt expressed his expectations that this new soap opera "reach record ratings as it did 14 years ago. It will be also an effective means in promoting the Region in the national market, thus contributing to the growth of an important tourism market for the Azores."

The shooting of the soap opera in the Azores will begin next week. Its premiere is scheduled for autumn 2014.