The Regional Director for Tourism pointed out that the 1st Walking Football Tournament - Azores 2020 is another event that generates tourism flows in the local economy, bringing to the Azores about one hundred people, including participants and accompanying persons.

“Events like this one are important for Azorean tourism as, on the one hand, they promote exchanges generating flows that contribute to the dynamics of local economies, especially in low season periods. On the other hand, they have a considerable potential to promote the Azores as a tourist destination in very positive light, because, in general, participants from abroad bring the best experiences from here," emphasised Marlene Damião. 

The Regional Director spoke in Ponta Delgada at the prize-delivery ceremony of the first edition of this Walking Football tournament. On the occasion, she noted that this is “a sport that started taking its first steps very recently, both in the world and in Portugal, but it has already started to attract fans here in the archipelago." 

Marlene Damião highlighted the Senior University of Ponta Delgada, which promoted the initiative in partnership with the Network of Senior Universities and the Benfica Foundation. According to her, “more than a sporting event associated with healthy and active living practices, it is a moment of socialisation among all participants that encourages the sharing of experiences between locals and visitors." 

The tournament involved the participation of six teams from Senior Universities and Academies in the country, including Nova Atena (Oeiras), Artes e Saberes (Vila Nova de Santo André), Benfica Foundation (Lisbon), Unisenior (Ponta Delgada) and two Criar Afetos teams (Rio de Mouro).