The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced this morning that the Regional Government has already secured the organisation of the World Copa Foot 21 over the next three years.

This year's edition will take place in the Azores from June 21 to 28 and is expected to bring together about 1500 athletes aged between 9 and 15. During the speech delivered during the presentation of this competition, Vítor Fraga noted that with the organisation of the event for three consecutive years, we will be able to consolidate it and "reduce the margin of error in terms of economic return."

The Regional Secretary stressed that "these prospects give a certain degree of predictability to the companies that are directly or indirectly linked to the organisation of the championship. In this context, we will be able assure the promotion of this event and the Azores Destination as well, which we are certain that will bring increased financial return for everyone."

The Secretary for Tourism also stressed that this initiative goes beyond the sport event in itself as it also includes "several tourist activities that will be developed for those who will accompany the athletes participating in this competition. In addition to welcoming them, as we know how to do, it is also important to provide unforgettable moments to those who visit us and instil on them the permanent desire to return."

Furthermore, "this championship involves a detailed planning in terms of its organisation and operation, which can contribute to the development of our local economy in the hotel and restaurant sectors as well as in the area of trade, tourist animation activities and other services," said the government official.

The Regional Secretary also recalled that the support to initiatives such as World Copa Foot 21 - Azores 2014 "falls within the goals we have set for the increase of tourism flows and the promotion of the Azores Destination.

Moreover, the support to these events is based on the assumption that they will effectively bring economic return to the Region." In this regard, one should bear in mind that the one of the major goals defended by the Azorean Government concerns the "promotion of the best we have to offer and the creation of differentiating factors on each of our islands."

The World Copa Foot 21 - Azores 2014 is expected to bring a total of 2000 people to the archipelago, including 1500 athletes from 42 clubs that will compete in 8 different sports.