The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated that "Canyoning highlights natural heritage and contributes to the positioning that is envisaged in the Strategic and Marketing Plan of the Azores Tourism." It presents the Region as "a European destination located in the mid-Atlantic, whose volcanic islands are preserved in their original state with their exuberant nature and mystical beauty, offering a variety and quality of land and sea activities, such as the case of Canyoning. This activity combines land and water, being the harmonious and key elements to its enjoyment."
 
Speaking at the presentation of the 3rd Canyoning International Meeting in the Azores (CIMA), Vítor Fraga stressed that natural resources are the "main reason of attracting visitors" to the Azores as well as their "primary motivation." Therefore, projects like this should be supported and encouraged, with a sustainable approach that demonstrates good environmental, economic and social practices."
 
CIMA returns this year to the island of Flores, after having started here and travelling to the island of São Jorge.
 
In this third edition, CIMA comes with RIC, International Canyoning Rendez-vous, an event promoted by the International Association of Amateur Canyoning (IAAC) that has joined the Desnível Association and Azores Tourism. It will create a simultaneous event that will attract more tourists to the island of Flores.
 
Vítor Fraga said that, over the last three years, the Government has "structured a product that places the Region as a national and international reference among Canyoning practitioners."
 
"While we had 150 participants from nine countries in 2014, this year we estimate to have 220 participants between September 18 and 24. This clearly shows the increase registered in this activity and the positioning the Region has assumed among Canyoning practitioners throughout the world," said the government official.
 
"This year, CIMA and RIC provide a decisive contribution to reducing the effect of seasonality, to achieving the balanced development of tourism on our different islands and to safeguarding of the territory's vulnerability," said the Regional Secretary. In this context, the government official added that it "simultaneously promotes the Azores as nature destination of excellence that dazzles those who visit the archipelago and instils on them the desire to return."
 
According to Vítor Fraga, these events "allow the diversification of source markets, falling within the strategic goals for the Azores Tourism: attract new market niches, enrich the quality of the tourism experience, promote the sustainable use of natural resources, increase tourism flows, boost the profitability of tourist accommodation and contribute to the economic revitalisation of several business, such as restaurants, tourist activities, car rentals, among others."