Azores … a meeting industry destination!

Just over two hours flight from the European continent, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the traveler will find sleeping volcanoes, tea and pineapple plantations, hot springs, heated pools, UNESCO world heritage sites (the town of Angra do Heroísmo and the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture) and a myriad of other surprising features.

The archipelago’s location is perfect for the international associations market — the most coveted of all destinations — because it is a short-haul destination between the American and European continents.

Unspoiled, pristine beaches, unending miles of flowers and countless shades of green invite the traveler to relax, in a true natural setting. One of the reasons why the Azores is a perfect destination for Incentive Travel of all kinds is its high quality of services, airports on every island, as well as, excellent hotels.

Why settle for the conventional when you can experience one of the world’s unique meeting destinations. Congress centers on two islands, such us, “Teatro Micaelense – Cultural and Congress Centre of Ponta Delgada - São Miguel (800 people), Coliseu in Ponta Delgada – São Miguel (1 284 people), “Portas do Mar” also in Ponta Delgada – São Miguel (3 000 people), the Cultural and Congress Centre of Angra do Heroísmo - Terceira (900 and 200 people) and the “Auditório do Ramo Grande” - Terceira (400 people), are equipped with the highest technology and facilities.

It’s new. It’s exciting, and definitely, a place to be. Then, there is the local cuisine, the light, and a seemingly endless list of adventures you can engage and delight in… a land of legends...a paradise lost and eager to be found again.

As for accommodation, you won’t need to go far. Within minutes from the congress centers are beautiful hotels ranging from standard hotel rooms providing basic amenities all the way to the highest standard of accommodation, where, you can also find, several hotel meeting rooms with different capacities. You can find 14 four-star hotels, 11 three-star hotels, 2 inns, as well as, other types of accommodation offering you warm hospitality. Azores accommodation is around 8.849 beds (Dec 2012).

The Azores offer recreation and sport activities in which, those who visit the islands, can take part. Radical sports, such as hang-gliding, rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking, horse riding, road cycling, paragliding and all the islands provide the vehicles necessary for all terrain exploration, from scooter to four wheel drives.

Nautical activities, like surf and windsurfing, diving and underwater exploration, fishing, boating, or yachting. Whale watching… imagine yourself swimming with dolphins, sailing with

1

dolphins, dolphins everywhere. Having the opportunity to watch whales and feel their power and their strength in an atmosphere of total liberty.

Still, you can do other things in case these are not enough, like hunting, bird watching or you can visit the islands with organized tours.

The islands all year round temperate climate and the green fields with colorful flowers, all contribute to the Azores being a perfect golf destination. The courses are on the islands of S. Miguel and Terceira.

Walk in any direction and there is the sea and your senses will be instantly stimulated by the vibrant colors, unique sounds and unusual textures. 9 islands, a world of activities!

The Azores make the difference for several reasons. It’s a safe place, where you can go out at any time of the day without having any problems, the nature richness and the diversity of the offer, the new infrastructures (hotels, meeting and social venues), the frequent and fast connections, the delicious local gastronomy, with typical dishes on each island and the hospitality and friendliness of Azorean people, create the right conditions for incentives and conferences, small meetings and other events.

These investment projects may receive support under the Azores Government’s system of incentives. The Azores offer a wide range of opportunities and it is worth investing here.

In the last years, events such as following ones, have been taking place in the Azores: the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, Azores Island Pro WQS (World Qualifying Series)6* (Surf), SATA Rally IRC, the international regattas: ARC Europe (British Virgin Islands - Bermuda - Azores - Lagos), AZAB (Falmouth – Açores – Falmouth), the Atlantic Trophee (Douarnenez - Azores - Douarnenez) and the Volvo Ocean Race (Lisbon – Azores – Lorient /France).

Azores is a unique meeting experience!

2