The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today in Angra do Heroísmo that the island of Terceira will start two new tourism operations during the next IATA winter. These operations have the potential to generate 81 thousand overnight stays with the coming of more than 11 thousand tourists from the USA and Spain.

Vítor Fraga spoke during the signing ceremony of protocols between the Azores Tourism Association and tour operators. The government official stressed that these operations with two priority source markets are expected to have a dynamic impact on tourism throughout the central group islands.

"Every week, a total of 135 seats will be allocated for the U.S. market and 165 seats for the Spanish market during the next IATA winter with the aim of attracting 2,970 and 8,580 tourists, respectively, from each of these markets" said Vítor Fraga.

In this context, the Regional Secretary added that "both operations can bring more than 11,580 tourists to the island of Terceira, with an estimated potential for 81 thousand overnight stays."

The promotional campaign for the U.S. market will be seasonal and will include 22 flights to Boston, operated by IdeaStation. It will be mainly based on online communication and sales channels.

In turn, the other campaign, to be held throughout the year, will connect Madrid to Terceira and will be operated by Portugal Tours. It will be sold at the major travel retail chains in Spain, which cover 85% of the market, either in traditional distribution channels or in online distribution channels.

"These operations involve an investment of the Azores Tourism Association in the global amount of two million Euros, whose estimated direct return in the regional economy will exceed eight million Euros. Moreover, these operations are expected to have an extensive multiplier effect on all Central Group islands," said the Regional Secretary.

Vítor Fraga also noted that the operations announced today will "strengthen one of the key pillars that supports our actions to improve accessibility to the island of Terceira, which help the tourism sector of Terceira, in particular, and the Azores, in general, to take next step forward.

"Both operations are a response to the effects of seasonality during the low season on Terceira. They demonstrate that the Regional Government is aware of what is going on all islands and is searching for solutions to these issues," said the Regional Secretary for Tourism.
 
"This happens on the island of Terceira and will happen on the islands of Graciosa and Santa Maria, where I had the opportunity to announce that the number of visitors under the 'My Azores, My Love' programme will grow. This measure is expected to represent an increase of 1,584 overnight stays on each island," said the government official.

In his speech, Vítor Fraga also mentioned the "implementation of a campaign with a national operator, with two specific packs, in order to take advantage of the complementarity between neighbouring islands - Terceira/Graciosa and São Miguel/Santa Maria - with potential for more than 5,600 overnight stays."