“There are very good prospects for the IATA summer”, stated the regional secretary of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, referring to the season defined in the aviation sector (IATA is the English acronym for the International Air Transport Association).

Berta Cabral was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the seminar "Excellence and Sustainability in Tourism - Creating Experiences, exceeding expectations", at the Ponta Delgada hub of the University of the Azores.

The government official said that, due to the “most troubled” period in the international context, with two wars in the spotlight, there was a “noticeable decline” in national tourists.

However, she indicated, there have been increases in tourists from places such as Canada and the United States of America, which “have already surpassed Germany”.

“We have had very significant growth in American tourists. [The American tourist] has already slightly surpassed the German tourist, which was our main market until now,” she said.

Berta Cabral pointed out that there are currently "26 destinations, with 15 companies flying" at Ponta Delgada Airport, on the island of São Miguel.

"It's a source of pride", she stressed, during her speech at the seminar, highlighting the opening of the Azorean academy to civil society.