The Regional Director for Tourism stated today that the Azores "are definitely in the ranking of the best places in the world" to practice Canyoning.

João Bettencourt stressed that this fact "is due, once again, to the success of partnerships between the public and private sectors. They have promoted the organisation of international meetings in the Azores, where can show to all participants the perfect conditions of these islands to the practice of this sport.

The Regional Director spoke at the opening of the 2nd Canyoning International Meeting in Azores 2015 (CIMA). The event is taking place on the island of São Jorge until September 26 and brings together about one hundred participants from different nationalities, mostly from priority markets for the Azores, such as is the case of Germany, Spain and France.

According to João Bettencourt, Canyoning "is one of the tourism products that has been structured in the Azores and, although recent, it has contributed to the dissemination of the Region in a specific market niche, which are the destinations of nature and adventure lovers."

João Bettencourt stressed that "the search for events like this contributes to the creation of local dynamics, especially at the level of business, by providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to not only showcase the quality of the service, but also to attract new clients and secure their loyalty. We have a new market of expert participants, who value the destination for its natural conditions and the quality of services."

"An event of this nature is equally important due to their contribution to the structuring of the product, since its organisation is preceded by several interventions intended to improve the equipment of streams and the respective access, clear pedestrian trails and place signs," added the government official.

João Bettencourt also highlighted "the training provided to the firefighters from the two fire departments of São Jorge Island, with the collaboration of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service. It is focused on rescue techniques, which are fundamental not only for the prevention component of this activity but also for other accidents that may occur in the Region."

"The tourism offer provided by São Jorge is also capable of satisfying adventurous independent practitioners as well as those who wish to begin practising this sport, accompanied by local tourism leisure companies, in accessible routes, but without losing direct contact with the natural beauties that surrounds them," said the Regional Director.

João Bettencourt recalled that CIMA "is just one of several actions programmed under the AZORESNATUR development strategy that will position us as the best nature destination of Portugal and one of the best in the world." He also wished the organisation "the best of success for this major event in regional tourism."