The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated that "the investment in the Portuguese market is fundamental for the development of tourism in the Region," which accounted for 41.2% of overnights stays in 2017.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke to journalists after the opening of the 30th edition of BTL - Lisbon Travel Market taking place in Lisbon until March 4.
 
"The Portuguese market is our largest market. In 2017, it grew even above the foreign market," said the government official.
 
According to the Secretary for Tourism, "we are here with a strong presence as you can see in this pavilion." It is decorated with natural elements that lead us to the Azores, such as the cryptomeria wood, stone, vertical gardens and nature activities. They are intended to convey to those who visit us the idea of what we intend to be an experience in the Azores: less visual and more experimental."
 
"A visit to the Azores creates memorable moments and we want them to be taken by those who visit us during these days at BTL, arousing the interest to visit the Azores," stressed the government official.
 
For Marta Guerreiro, "the component of experience is increasingly evident and a path that we want to follow as it is fundamental to mitigate the seasonality of the sector." In fact, "these activities may be implemented throughout the year and the practice of some, such as canyoning, makes even more sense during the low season."
 
"Another differentiating aspect concerns the message we want to convey with the project we have in terms of certification for sustainability. We want that our presence here can also reflect the path we are following insofar as it distinguishes us from other regions," said the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary also pointed out that "we have very positive tourism figures in 2017 as we are leading the growth of overnight stays in all regions of the country for the third consecutive time. In this regard, she added that "we are aware that we need to grow, but we also know where we want to go."
 
"We do not want mass tourism, but a tourism based on experiences that values what we have offer," said Marta Guerreiro.