André Gomes, president of Algarve Tourism, argues that the region must make “nautical tourism an increasingly stronger anchor in international promotion”. The words come at a time when Vilamoura is hosting the World Conference of Marinas in International Council of Marine Industry, the world's largest meeting of the nautical industry.
The event ends this Wednesday, October 11th.
Considering the choice of the Algarve as the host destination for this global event as proof of recognition of the enormous potential that the region presents in terms of Nautical Tourism, André Gomes, who heads the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) and the Algarve Tourism Association ( ATA), highlights the targeted work that has been done.
«Only in the last month of September, Turismo do Algarve participated in two strategic actions, in partnership with the marinas of Lagos, Portimão and Vilamoura, with the aim of publicizing the Algarve's excellent nautical offer among premium and to capture new markets for the region», he explains.
«At the beginning of the month, we carried out a charming event in Stockholm, which proved to be a unique opportunity to establish business with 25 Swedish operators dedicated to this type of tourism. More recently, we were also present, for the first time, at the prestigious Genoa International Boat Show, one of the main nautical exhibitions in the world, which takes place every year in the Italian city of Genoa», he adds.
Taking into account its umbilical connection with the sea, Turismo do Algarve says that «it sees with enthusiasm the way in which the region has been able to reinvent its nautical offering and provide it with an increasing level of sophistication».
To a set of infrastructures and equipment, already awarded several times internationally, and a series of quality services, it combines a diversity of experiences, from the practice of adrenaline sports – such as surfing, kitesurfing or powerboating -, to more serene activities such as sailing or canoe trips along the coast, visiting caves, diving, sport fishing or observing aquatic biodiversity (among others).
In addition to the leisure aspect, the destination has also established itself as a preferred location for numerous high-competition international events and as an official training base for professional teams from all over the world.
Algarve Tourism also highlights the easy crossover that Nautical Tourism allows for with other tourist products, acting as an immediate and appealing “gateway” to publicize the rest of the region’s offerings.
At this level, the destination also has examples of “great creativity such as first underwater exhibition on the Portuguese coast, recently announced, organized off Albufeira based on pieces by the renowned artist Vhils, which will certainly attract new tourists to the Algarve».
«We will continue to invest in the importance of nautical tourism in our strategic promotion plan, with a view to tourism growth in the destination that is more sustainable and less dependent on seasonality», concludes André Gomes.
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