The Regional Government, through the Regional Fund for Science and Technology, participated in the workshop on INTERREG-MAC – SMART DESTINATION project that took place in Las Palmas. It aims to promote cooperation between the Azores, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands towards the implementation of a "Smart Tourist Destinations" strategy.
 
This project includes activities designed to improve public-private cooperation and the coordination between companies and research centres to create a plan for each tourist destination in Macaronesia. Moreover, it will implement solutions for the creation of information and communication technology solutions (ICT) that favour the evolution of the islands towards the concept of "Smart Tourist Destination."
 
The Regional Director for Science and Technology pointed out that the participation of the Azores in this meeting was of "great relevance," as the goals of the project are in line with the Regional Digital Agenda.
 
In this context, Bruno Pacheco highlighted "the identification of technologies that will turn Azorean islands into true 'Smart Islands' and contribute to improve the competitiveness of regional technological companies."
 
This meeting, held in Las Palmas, marked the beginning of the SMART DESTINATION project with the definition of the actions and activities to be implemented within the scope of the project.
 
With an implementation period of 36 months, SMART DESTINATION has an overall budget of 1.8 million Euros and comprises more than twenty partners from Macaronesia; it is coordinated by the Society of Economic Promotion of Gran Canaria.