The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport warned that companies operating in the tourism sector need to be present in digital media, namely in the Internet and social networks, so that they can make themselves known.

 Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar "Tourism and the New Air Transport Model," held in Vila do Porto, Vítor Fraga stressed that this presence that all "those who are planning their trips and organising on an individual basis have the possibility to acquire products and services directly" from these companies.

 The Regional Secretary recalled the Strategic Tourism Plan for the horizon 2020 is under preparation, which encompasses the marketing plan for the Region. As a result of this work and after a survey conducted on tourists visiting the Azores, it was concluded that "nearly 80% of tourists collect all the information on the destination using digital media channels, namely the Internet and social networks, and 60% purchase travel and accommodation."

 For Vítor Fraga, these results "clearly evidence the importance of the presence of companies in these channels"; the latter have the possibility to reach all potential tourists for the Azores.

 The Regional Secretary for Tourism emphasised that the Strategic Plan, to be presented by the end of May, "reflects the new trends of demand," but also all the work that needs to be done, "whether in terms of promotion or in terms of improving regional tourism offer."

 With regard to promotion, "there is a natural tendency to use digital media and social media channels. Hence, this is an aspect that is critical to the promotion of the Region, namely at a time when the new accessibility model is being implemented. This allows us to access new market segments that mostly use digital channels to collect information on the destination and purchase their own travel."

 "It is essential to have a full integration between what we have to offer in order to provide an offer that is suited of all market segments that visit us," the government official said, stressing that family tourism is one most important market segments for the Region.

 "This means that, when we offer a particular tourism product, we cannot just think on the potential tourists that will purchase that product. In fact, we have to provide an integrated offer that is compatible with the needs of families during their holidays in our destination and that should even surpass their expectations," emphasised the Regional Secretary.