The Regional Director for Communities stated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that the associations of the Azorean Diaspora have played "an important role in the dissemination of the Azores destination," especially in countries where there are Azorean communities.
 
Paulo Teves spoke at the opening of the 12th Azorean Cultural Meeting, an initiative promoted by the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro. He praised the work carried out by various community organisations, highlighting the Houses of the Azores for their role in promoting "diversified initiatives that go far beyond of the initial mission that underpinned their creation- the integration of emigrants and the maintenance of cultural traditions - such as the dissemination of the Azores of today."
 
"In an ever-changing Diaspora, both in terms of demography and in terms of social interactions, the institutions representing our communities have adapted to the new dynamics, seeking to respond to aspirations and interests of Azorean emigrants and their descendants," said Paulo Teves. He emphasised that initiatives such as this cultural meeting are "an example of this demand in covering new areas of activity and new audiences."
 
In his speech, the Regional Director emphasised that the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro has chosen the "Azores Destination" as the theme for this year's edition of the cultural meeting at a time of "great importance for the Region, where tourism is growing significantly."
 
"In addition to the considerable growth of tourists, it is also important to highlight the increase in the diversity of activities available to those who visit us," Paulo Teves said, adding that "there is an increasingly public and private convergence in this sector."
 
In the opening of this cultural meeting, attended by tour operators from Rio de Janeiro, the Regional Director also highlighted the "exponential growth of Brazilian tourists in recent years." According to him, "this growing demand for tourists, combined with the attractiveness of activities of the sector, confirm the quality of our offer and is a source of pride for all Azoreans, regardless of where they are located."
 
"Activities like this confirm the involvement and commitment of our communities in the development process of our Region," said the government official.
 
"The recognition of the tourist excellence of our islands, the number of tourists, entrepreneurship in the sector and the prizes received in various areas also contribute to the assertion of the Azores in the world and, in particular, to an increased recognition of our Diaspora by the host societies," stressed Paulo Teves.
 
Under his visit to Brazil, the Regional Director for Communities is visiting today the State of Rio Grande do Sul, where he will visits the Centre for Azorean Studies of the History Postgraduate Programme at UNISINOS - University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos as well as the Carlos Bina State School. He will also meet with the Board of the local House of the Azores.