The Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) will continue to be present at the leading international fairs throughout 2016, in order to promote the region as a destination of excellence.
So, after having been in the Vakantibers, the largest Dutch tourism fair, which featured more than 1.200 exhibitors from the field of active and nature tourism, and at Foire Vakanz, in Luxembourg, which mainly covers tourists from Germany, France and Belgium, in the January and February agenda of the ATA, are scheduled to Holiday World Belfast 2016, in Northern Ireland, the CMT Stuttgart, in Germany - International Exhibition for Caravaning, considered the largest tourism fair for the public, and the Bike, with Dutch and Belgian organization.
ATA's participation in Matka Nordic Travel Fair will take place between January 21st and 24th, at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Center, in Helsinki, Finland, where the Algarve will be represented with a 24 square meter stand.
ATA stresses that the Nordic Travel Fair Matka it is the biggest tourist event in northern Europe and the perfect setting for contacting professionals from the Nordic countries, the Baltics and Russia to assess the market and make contacts with local operators.
Although small, the Scandinavian tourist market has great tourist potential. In the case of the Finnish market, and despite having only 5,3 million inhabitants, given the austerity of the climate, part of the holidays are taken during the winter, conditions that make the Algarve an option. "Participation in this fair justifies the search for new markets for the region, not only in the scope of the Sol e Mar product, but also in terms of complementary products", adds ATA.
From the 22nd to the 24th of January, it will be the turn of the Holiday World Dublin, on the premises of the Royal Dublin Society. Aimed at the end consumer, the morning of January 22 is reserved for the professional side, a period in which the ATA has planned a get-together at its stand, with wine tasting from the region for operators and Irish press.
This year's stand, which occupies 36 square meters, where 14 ATA members will be represented, reflects the Algarve's commitment to the Irish market, the 5th market for the region.
The presence of the Algarve in Fiets & Wandelbeurs Amsterdam, on February 20th and 21st, will reinforce the region as a destination for hiking and cycling, activities that continuously contribute to the affirmation of the Algarve in the Dutch market.
Between February 27th and 28th, the edition of Fiets & Wandelbeurs Belgium counts on the participation of about 350 exhibitors. The public's large participation in events of such a specific nature reflects the market's interest in this type of product, which is the main showcase of the various options and destinations for cycle tourism and hiking in the Benelux.
ATA's presence at this fair will take place in parallel with the participation of associated companies, which will integrate the stand in the Algarve, where they will have the opportunity to present their tourist packages, with the aim of captivating the interest of visitors and buyers of nature tourism.
ATA emphasizes that “Belgium is a priority market for the promotion of tourism products associated with nature. It is the aim of the Algarve to captivate the interest of tour operators and the general public for the unique offer that the region has to offer». In addition to a rich and vast natural heritage, the Algarve combines tourist resources such as the Ecovia, Via Algarviana, Rota Vicentina, hydrotherapy, wine tourism, with heritage, gastronomy, hiking trails, among others, combining the best of Nature with other memorable experiences .
ATA's participation in these and other fairs is a unique opportunity to publicize the Algarve as a tourist destination in the European outbound market, which corresponds to around 75% of total overnight stays in the region.
«The Algarve is currently a consolidated destination. The United Kingdom continues to be our main market, but Germany, Ireland and France have been growing”, explains Dora Coelho, executive director of ATA.
«The Irish and French markets, which show great affinity with our country and with the region, continue to be strategically worked, namely through participation in this type of events. It is ATA's objective to leverage the reputation of the destination and make it grow, especially in low season. Markets are increasingly open to other areas of tourist activity such as nature, sports or hiking tourism», he continues.
Considering that “the construction of a tourist destination is a permanent task”, ATA adds that its strategy “is to promote the promotion of the region's main resources in priority markets, through the reinforcement of the main products, while investing in lesser-known products that it deems necessary to leverage”.
«Participation in specialized fairs is part of ATA's promotion strategy, both for the global market, with reinforcement in the Sun & Sea categories, and with targets specific. By the end of the year, ATA plans to be a regular presence at this type of event».
The Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) is a non-profit association whose main mission is the tourist promotion and dissemination of the Algarve and its regional products (Sol & Mar, Golf, Nature and Business Tourism).
It promotes the destination through the study, preparation and development of specific actions in foreign markets and also through the synchronization between public and private entities to define common goals and strategies for promotion abroad.
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