The Regional Government presented today the senior tourism and mobility programme "Meus Açores, Meus Amores" (My Azores, My Love). With this initiative, 940 senior citizens residing in the archipelago will have the opportunity of spending one week (six nights), between February and April, at tourist lodges on full board with tourist animation activities and the permanent assistance of specialised monitors.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport revealed that this new programme will replace the former programme, "60+ Nunca é tarde para descobrir os Açores" (60+ It's never too late to discover the Azores). This initiative is addressed at citizens over 60 years residing in the archipelago, covering all islands unlike the previous programme - "60+ Programme."

Vítor Fraga added that the new programme will mainly take place "during the low season, thus stimulating tourism flows on all islands." A total of about 4,900 overnight stays are expected in the context of this initiative.

Following the success of the "60 + Programme," the Regional Government should also provide its contribution to the Tourism sector so that the Azoreans "may continue to benefit from better policies to ensure their quality of life and have the opportunity of acquiring or expanding their knowledge on the island reality through social interaction, innovation and well-being."

Moreover, the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity noted that with the increase of life expectancy, "old age is no longer and has become a new phase of life, which should be lived actively and positively.”

"Adding more life to years is undoubtedly the goal of the programme 'Meus Açores, Meus Amores'," Piedade Lalanda stated, stressing that this programme "promotes the active ageing of the Azorean population."

The Regional Secretary stressed that this programme will give participants the opportunity of travelling with a companion, particularly in the cases when "they need assistance and daily support." In addition, the Social Security Institute in partnership with Cresaçor will provide a guide, who will accompany the group from the beginning of trip and during the stay on the destination island.

All those who are interested, who must be over 60, can make their registration at the offices of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC) or at the Social Security services of their island of residence from January 13 to 27.
Applications will be then analysed based on the criteria defined in the programme rules, taking into account the destinations chosen by order of priority.

The list of the elderly who will join each travel group will sorted according to the criteria defined; "priority will be given to older participants, lower socio-economic status or first-time participation in this type of programme," said Piedade Lalanda.

The elderly selected for this programme are required to confirm their participation upon the payment of a sum between 25 and 75 Euros in accordance with their income, as provided in the programme's rules.

For the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, this will be undoubtedly "an experience to remember, which many Azorean seniors will not forget," stressing that the Regional Government is "fully aware that elderly policies should add more years to life and, above all, add more life to years."

"Mobility, social interaction, leisure activities and the sharing of new experiences are the key ingredients of this programme, which will certainly contribute to the quality ageing of its participants," said Piedade Lalanda.