The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today that the Government of the Azores has decided to extend the "Açores em Família" (Azores in Family) campaign, an initiative targeted at the regional and national markets, to the winter period, particularly during Christmas, Carnival and Easter seasons.

Speaking at the presentation of the results of the "Açores em Família" campaign, Vítor Fraga stated that the extension of this programme is intended "to increasingly consolidate the Azores as a family tourist destination, reduce the effect of seasonality and contribute to the sustainability of the sector."

For the Regional Secretary, this effort has to go further as "it is essential to focus on critical matters."

"Acknowledging the best we have to offer on each island, diversifying and adjusting the supply to demand and creating differentiating factors are constant challenges," said Vítor Fraga.

Therefore, according to the Regional Secretary, the Azores will be promoted as "a desirable destination for various market segments, providing a wide and solid tourism offer based on experiences such as hiking, biking, surf or golf, but also on the promotion of gastronomy, wine tourism, cultural events and festivities."

For Vítor Fraga, the "Açores em Família" campaign, which was implemented this summer, was a "success." According to him, the Azores Tourism is to be congratulated as well as "all the Azorean trade and national tour operators who regarded this campaign as an opportunity of turning a difficulty into an opportunity."

In this context, Vítor Fraga praised the "industrious and selfless work of all those who have joined us once again. Our partners have not remained passive, waiting for a miraculous solution; they have used undertaken all their efforts in a clear and worthy example of proactivity and dedication in favour of the tourism development of the Azores."

This campaign began on May 1 and the reservation period ended on July 31; trips can be made until October 31.  With regard to the national market, a total of 1,300 children accompanied by 2,165 adults visited the Azores under this campaign, corresponding to a total of 3,465 visitors.

In 2012, nearly 700 children visited the Azores, which evidences an increase of 86% in the national market this year.

In the regional market, a total of 58 children accompanied by 74 adults have adhered to this initiative.

The "Açores em Família" campaign registered the adherence of 12 tourism operators, 15 regional travel agencies, 35 tourist animation and maritime tourism companies, 11 car rental companies, 55 restaurants and 27 other entities, such as observatories, museum and interpretation centres.