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New campaign to promote the Azores Islands
The Portuguese National Tourist Office is launching a new campaign in cooperation with the Azores Regional Tourist Office and UK tour operators to promote the Azores islands to British tourists. With SATA International now flying to the archipelago on a weekly basis from both London and Manchester, the destination is fast becoming an attractive and accessible hot-spot for British travellers. Details of the campaign are being discussed this week in London by the Portuguese National and Regional Tourist Offices, as well as members of the Association of Travel Organizers to Portugal (ATOP).

The Azores are a picturesque archipelago of nine emerald green islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Discovered by Portuguese navigators in the 15th century and once thought to be the remains of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis, the islands are a unique travel destination, combining beautiful natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.

Miguel Perestrello, Portuguese Director for Tourism in the UK, said: “The Azores archipelago is a unique destination which, until now, has been almost untouched by British tourism. Our aim is to raise awareness and open up this beautiful group of islands to British tourists.”

The islands have an amazing range of activities to offer leisure tourists: from whale watching and deep sea diving, to relaxed walks in breathtaking locations as well as bird watching, fishing and swimming with dolphins. The Azores are fascinating to explore, and home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The islands’ volcanic formation means that tourists can witness a variety of beautiful landscapes such as vast craters with glistening blue lakes, black cliffs plunging into the ocean, and hot mineral springs and geysers.

Portuguese airline SATA International operates a weekly flight to Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel island. Sao Miguel is the largest of the Azorean islands and boasts many impressive churches, convents and white houses, and is a good base from which to arrange multi-island trips. Vicky Karantzavelou - Thursday, September 10, 2009