The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity and the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport made today the assessment of the first edition of the senior tourism programme "Meus Açores, Meus Amores" (My Azores, My Love), stressing that the demand registered in the second edition exceeded expectations once again.

"The demand by the public was not disappointing since the number of applications exceeded the number of vacancies available in the first phase," as it happened in the first edition, said Andreia Cardoso at the joint press conference.

Although the number of vacancies provided in the second edition increased over the expected number for 2014, the Regional Secretary added that, even before the deadline for the submission of applications, the demand had already surpassed the supply by more than 20%. This figure was considered a positive aspect in the assessment of both editions.

In turn, the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stressed that "tourism plays a major role not only in the creation of direct jobs, but also as a driving force in the development of sectors of activity that will naturally benefit from the growth of the tourism sector."

In this regard, Vítor Fraga reminded that this programme is a strategy designed to promote domestic tourism, thus providing a contribution to all industry partners through the promotion of this type of tourism.

Hence, Vítor Fraga underlined the importance of continuing the work already development and taking further steps in order to mitigate the effects of seasonality on this sector.

"In addition, these initiatives also contribute to the economic growth of our companies insofar as the implementation of the "Meus Açores, Meus Amores" programme was only possible with the direct intervention of several companies: air transport, travel agencies, hotel establishments, land transport, restaurants, tourist guides and cultural operators," said the government official.

The municipalities of origin that registered the largest number of applications continue to be Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo, Praia da Vitória and Horta and the preferred islands of the applicants are also the same - São Miguel, Flores, Santa Maria and Terceira.

Vítor Fraga estimates that the programme may register a total of 5,760 overnight stays, thus contributing to the revitalisation of the regional economy in the medium and low tourism season in the Region.

"The evaluation of the first edition demonstrated the participants selected for this initiative were very satisfied, especially with the quality of reception and the stay," Andreia Cardoso stressed, adding that the relation with programme guides and monitors was another positive aspect highlighted by participants.

The second edition of the "Meus Açores, Meus Amores" programme features a new aspect that was not available the previous edition: a Traveller's Guide designed to provide participants with a set of useful information on travel proceedings and the trip's programme. With this new feature, travellers will have the opportunity to prepare themselves in advance for the activities provided in the programme.

Andreia Cardoso recalled that the promotion of active ageing with dignity is a top priority for the Regional Government "from the very first moment and is embodied in the Programme of the Government. We work to fulfil this commitment on a daily basis."

Vítor Fraga defended that this is a challenge that should be also shared with various cultural and social entities in the Region as well as with local authorities. In this context, the Regional Secretary defended that "we should continue promoting the revitalisation and promotion of regional heritage, the recovery of historical and heritage elements, the improvement of signage, the dissemination of the archipelago, the improvement of the restaurant sector as well as the investment in different types of accommodation and recreational activities."