The Azores are the guest national destination at the next edition of BTL-Lisbon Travel Market, taking place from February 28 to March 3 at Parque das Nações in Lisbon, which will boost the Region's visibility in the national market, its main tourism market.

The Azorean participation in this 34th edition of the country's largest tourism fair includes a speech to be delivered by the President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, on February 28, at the CNN Portugal Summit "Portugal Tour." The event will address the main challenges of national tourism, namely the fact that it is one of the most important sectors of the economy, and yet it faces international economic adversity.

On February 29, the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, will take part in CNN Talks at the Azores stand - her participation will be part of the theme "Tourism in the Azores, prospects and challenges."

A joint organisation of Visit Azores and AMRAA - Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the Azores stand will feature Visit Azores itself, the organisation responsible for the external tourism promotion of the Region. It will be represented by the 19 Azorean municipalities as well as by 29 companies associated with Visit Azores, which will be promoting their products.

BTL 2024 will present a wide range of exhibitors, sectors and content, always with the mission of establishing itself as a benchmark fair in the tourism sector, both nationally and internationally.

More than 1,500 exhibitors, more than 85 international destinations and more than 400 events will be featured during this major tourism fair, with programmes for the whole family, tastings, gastronomy, presentations, concerts, promotional campaigns and exclusive holiday offers.

During the 5-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops, attend presentations about the featured countries and take part in tastings.

BTL will feature even more international buyers from 42 markets. This represents a 50% increase over the 2023 edition. Overall, there will be more than 200 hosted buyers from different continents at the largest tourism fair in the country.

Known for keeping up with market trends in tourism innovation, diversity and inclusion, BTL will, as usual, feature a wide range of programmes, covering various areas, from technology to culture.

BTL continues to focus on quality, diversity and value. The space that aims to be a hub for knowledge and the sharing of ideas, known as BTL Lab, is also returning and will feature talks on digital technology, ecology and culture.

It should be noted that Pavilion 1 will accommodate the seven regional organisations, while Pavilion 2 will feature inter-municipal communities, municipal councils and entities linked to gastronomy.

Hall 3 will be dedicated to the services and accommodation sectors. In turn, the international destinations and distribution areas will be available in Hall 4.