Santa Maria "has been taking very significant steps in the promotion of diving as a tourism product, particularly at an international level, thus meeting all the conditions to boost its economy," defended the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Vila do Porto today.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke to the media at the end of a meeting with Santa Maria tour operators and reminded that diving is "an emerging activity of great importance not only to the island, but also to the promotion of the Azores destination."

"This is a very important business for the Azores, hence it is essential that people focus on these areas in order to generate wealth, fostering the creation of more jobs," defended the government official.

According to Vasco Cordeiro, "the strategy for the regional tourism sector includes an intense promotion of regional products, the dissemination of what is possible to do in the Azores and not the individual promotion of each island." "I believe that the successful accomplishment of this product marketing strategy will bring more added value to our Region instead of insisting on a message that does not allow to fully enhance the possible economic benefits."

Vasco Cordeiro also praised "the Santa Maria tourism businesspeople, who have a very clear idea of their goals as well as a clear awareness of the potential brought by the promotion of products to the island." Moreover, "diving is a good example as demonstrated by the strategy developed by the Santa Maria businesspeople in promotional campaigns and fairs."