The Algarve cannot go to ITB Berlin, one of the most important tourism fairs in the world, due to the cancellation of the event because of Covid-19, but entrepreneurs in the region will be able to sell their products together in the German tourist market.
The Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) is promoting from Friday until tomorrow, September 30th, a fam trip and a workshop, with the participation of 16 German travel agents and two representatives of the FVW Medien group, the leading publisher of publications in the field of travel in Germany, ATA's partner in this initiative.
The idea was “to mitigate, in some way, the impact caused on tourist companies in the region by the cancellation of the destination's participation in one of the most important tourism fairs in the world, ITB Berlin”.
«This workshop will be an opportunity for businessmen in the region, members of ATA, to contact directly with the invited travel agents and present their offer, similarly to what would happen during the ITB», explained the ATA.
Several themes will be debated during the initiative, such as “Algarve – a holiday destination for the whole year”, “Sale arguments and reasons to book the Algarve” or “The Algarve in times of Covid19 /Clean & Safe”, «constituting this a strategic opportunity for the destination to promote itself with sector professionals representing what is the second largest source of tourists to the region».
«The agents invited to this action had the opportunity to carry out a fam trip and to visit some of the main tourist attractions in the Algarve, with the aim of getting to know the destination through your own eyes and living a set of different experiences in the first person», added the association.
The program also included a meeting with the German Ambassador to Portugal, who gave "a speech on the security of destiny", which was joined by the German Consul in the Algarve and two representatives of the Portuguese German Chamber of Commerce.
“This type of direct action has a very interesting impact, as it allows us to present these professionals in a personal and on the spot, a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of the offer that the Algarve brings together and makes available to its visitors throughout the year», explained João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve.
"While it is not possible to resume participation in major events in the tourism industry, we will have to find strategic alternatives that allow our companies in the sector to continue doing their business, strengthening their relations with the main agents and operators of this industry and promote itself in the various international markets,” he added.
Last year, the Algarve was visited by around 360 guests from Germany, «which translated into approximately 1,9 million overnight stays, a figure corresponding to a growth of 15% between 2014 and 2019», concluded the ATA
Photos: Algarve Tourism Association
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