The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport revealed last night that the number of seats available on flights between the Azores and the United States increased 76%, from 2012 until now.
 
Vítor Fraga stated that "during this legislative period, under the leadership of Vasco Cordeiro, the number of seats provided in the flight connections between the Azores and the United States increased by 65,620, i.e., an increase of over 76 %."
 
The Regional Secretary noted that this increase was achieved at the same time that "the most important reform ever made in terms of accessibility to the Region" was carried out, particularly on the flights between the Azores and Mainland Portugal and also on inter-island flights; the latter saw the largest reduction in fare prices ever made in these flight connections.
 
In the speech delivered at Convívio Praiense in Lowell, USA, Vítor Fraga also mentioned that, "given the difficulties arising in the development process of a sector such tourism, we went in search of a new operation for Terceira during the IATA winter and the market we selected was the US market."
 
The Regional Secretary also shared with Azorean emigrants attending this gathering, most of whom from Praia da Vitória, that “1,938 US citizens visited Terceira from the beginning of December until today, resulting in 12,228 overnight stays. But there is more to come: by the end of this operation, which will be in May, we still expect the visit of 1,112 US citizens, which corresponds to an estimate of 7,493 overnight stays."
 
"Thus, we are facing a new cycle in a Region that reconciles what is its natural heritage with building heritage, our culture with modernity, tradition with sustainability," said Vítor Fraga, noting that the Azores continue to rely on the emigrant community "to promote our Region, because no one better than you know the differentiating aspects of each of our islands to promote them."
 
Vítor Fraga said "we are all aware that the basis to achieve success is outlined" and now "we must continue working hard to make it happen."

"I know all of you have done so, but I also know that you feel invigorated to continue to it on a daily basis," concluded the Regional Secretary.