The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today the creation of the AZORES ECOBIKE TRAILS programme.

Speaking during a visit to a MTB trail in Pico Alto on Santa Maria, Vítor Fraga revealed that this programme is intended to create "a network of trails for cycling tourism in a similar fashion to pedestrian trails," thus contributing to the promotion of a regional tourism product with "differentiating characteristics."

The AZORES ECOBIKE TRAILS consists of a regional network of cycling tourism routes, which will be classified in accordance with different levels of difficulty. These trails will be provided with internationally approved identification signs.

Moreover, the programme includes the implementation of rules and a code of conduct. It also assures that cycling activities will have their own trails, which will not interfere with pedestrian trails (Network of Classified Pedestrian Trails of the Azores).

"Basically, we want to draw the potentialities from our assets, particularly from natural features, with the aim of boosting the development of new tourism products," stressed the Regional Secretary.

In addition to the rules and the code of conduct, the AZORES ECOBIKE TRAILS will bear "a seal that will distinguish all entities involved in this projects and that actively contribute to the development of cycling tourism," stressed Vítor Fraga.

As the Secretary for Tourism revealed, this can "be a very important product because it is a product that will be available throughout the year, which will effectively mitigate the effects of seasonality."