The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stressed that the presence of the Azores at BTL - Lisbon Travel Market "acknowledges the importance of consolidating the national market" as it is the largest tourism fair in the country, thus reinforcing the destination with the one of the main tourism markets.
 
Marta Guerreiro pointed out that "the overnight stays registered by the national market in all types of accommodation grew 6.5% last year, surpassing, for the first time in the history of regional tourism, one million overnight stays."
 
 "The overnight stays of the national market has a significant weight in terms of overall overnight stays in the Azores, corresponding to 41% last year, remaining, by far, the most relevant market in the Azores," stressed the government official.
 
"In view of these figures, the Region could not miss this Fair. Once again, it is present with a pavilion that has "Sustainability" as its motto, living up to the path that the Regional Government has been following over the last years. This is now even more important as part of the ongoing process for the sustainable certification of the destination in order guarantee the preservation of our heritage, while boosting its potential in the development of our Region," said Marta Guerreiro.
 
The Secretary for Tourism stated that this year's edition of BTL "features the participation of 27 agents of the sector, who will be promoting their business activities and, naturally, the Region as a whole." It should be also noted that, this year, we have managed year to congregate "all municipalities in a single space, which will strengthen the Region's image. Accordingly, the Azores stand will comprise all islands with the representation of all municipalities."
 
"This was a position and intention demonstrated by the Government last year, so it is with great pleasure that today we are gathered here with a common goal: to promote the Azores," stressed the Regional Secretary.