The Algarve and Alentejo will be well represented on the Lisbon Tourism Exchange (BTL), which this year runs from the 28th of February to the 3rd of March, with dozens of stands that promote the identity and values of these two regions.
In addition to the Municipal spaces, the Algarve will be represented in a stand unique, which will promote its diverse tourist offer, new developments, and reinforce its position as the main tourist destination in Portugal and one of the most sought after in Europe.
«For the Algarve, BTL is a strategic showcase for promoting the region as an excellent tourist destination. The region will be represented by a large stand, with a total area of 700 square meters, which also brings together the 16 municipalities and 18 companies in the sector and will be the privileged stage for the presentation of its main attractions and new developments", anticipates the president of Algarve Tourism André Gomes.
The programming of the Algarve space at BTL promises presentations of tourist projects and products, anchor events in the municipalities, gastronomic demonstrations, wine and regional product tastings, and various activities promoted by partners in the region.
The morning of the 29th, Thursday, will be dedicated to sustainability, with a presentation by the Municipality of Lagos, followed by the presentation of the Nautical Portugal – Algarve project.
The afternoon will feature food and wine, with culinary demonstrations as part of the Mediterranean Diet and wine tastings that will be repeated daily until the end of the fair.
The Review of the 2023 Tourist Year and Perspectives for 2024 will be presented by the president of Turismo do Algarve, at 14:30 pm. Afterwards, the Algarve Wine Commission will present the Algarve Wine Route. Presentations from the Municipalities of Albufeira and Aljezur will follow and the end of the day will be dedicated to the Algarve Golden Terroir, a joint initiative between the municipalities of Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos and Portimão to promote Algarve wines, and the Geoparque Algarvensis, a project by the Municipalities from Loulé, Silves and Albufeira.
The opening of BTL to the public, on March 1st, marks a day full of event presentations in the municipalities of Lagoa, Vila Real de Santo António, Albufeira, São Brás de Alportel and others. The afternoon will be dedicated to the presentation of the Algarve Walking Season, a program that promotes the region as an ideal walking destination throughout the year.
Day 2 will feature a presentation to the public of the Água é Vida campaign, enhanced by the performance of the Algarve band Entre Aspas.
The day will end with presentations from the Municipalities of Vila Real de Santo António and Monchique, with showcooking and tasting of regional products, and the presentation of the MED 2024 Festival by the Municipality of Loulé, with music and dance.
Finally, day 3 will be dedicated to gastronomy, with a gastronomic demonstration, promotion of Citrus do Algarve PGI and presentation of the AlgarOrange promotional video. The presentation of the program for the Celebrations of 100 years of the Elevation of Portimão to a City closes the Algarve stand's program.
Furthermore, in the BTL restaurant area, the “O Algarvio” restaurant invites you to take a journey through the most authentic flavors of the region: snacks, meat, fish and seafood, without forgetting the delicious desserts made with almonds, figs and egg threads. and Algarve orange.
Albufeira is one of the Municipalities in the Algarve that will have its own stand at BTL. The space, located in Pavilion 2, is around 250 square meters.
José Carlos Rolo, president of the Chamber of Albufeira, highlights the importance of the event, recalling that in the 2023 edition «according to the organization, BTL received 1400 exhibitors, was attended by 75 international destinations and received 63 thousand visitors, the largest number ever; results that fully justify the joint investment of the municipality and APAL aimed at participating in the event».
During the five days of the Fair, this Municipality will host a diverse set of events, with emphasis on the first day being the presentation of the 16th Youth Basketball Festival (10:30 am), a wine tasting from Quinta do Canhoto (12:00 pm), the presentation of the new promotional video for Albufeira, created by APAL (14:30 pm) and the “Albufeira All Year” project (15:30 pm).
The program on the 28th culminates with a cocktail offered by the Municipality, prepared by the Associação Barmen do Algarve.
On the remaining days, visitors can watch the presentation of the “Albufeira Digital” project; the 13th Portuguese Wine Show by Confraria Bacchus de Albufeira, followed by a wine tasting; presentation of the Art Reef by Vhils underwater exhibition; wine tasting at Adega do Cantor and presentation of the Algarve Golden Terroir and Geoparque Algarvensis; Beach Volleyball Masters Championship, with the presence of Olympic athletes Miguel Maia and João Brenha.
In addition, Aspirante Geopark activities will be promoted by the Cerro do Ouro Interpretive Center and the Albufeira Arts and Crafts Center; Tasting by Vila JOYA with Chef Dieter Koschina; presentation of Algarve Equestre; Promotion of activities within the scope of the “Halloween 2024” and “Paderne Medieval” programs; presentation of the “Albufeira SEA FEST” and “Albufeira Sounds” programming; presentation of the Accordion Gala with a performance by Francisco Saboia and a demonstration by Flair Bartending.
There will be no shortage of entertainment at this stand either. In addition to the performance of accordionist Francisco Sabóia, the program features performances by João Frade, Diego Miranda, a DJ SET entitled Albufeira Destino de Emoções with Dj Jaymartin _residente Kiss Disco and Dj Napier_residente Bank.
On the last day, the ethnography and popular roots of the municipality will be highlighted with the performance of the Rancho Folclórica de Albufeira, which will hold a Arruada on the BTL grounds.
Aljezur won't have one stand own, but will take advantage of that of the Algarve to promote its sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, outdoor activities and gastronomic experience.
In a special event, scheduled for February 29th, at 16:30 pm, a promotional video will be shown that invites you to feel and experience the “Natural Algarve” of Aljezur.
In parallel, it will be possible to have a virtual reality experience, where sensations will be heightened with the “Explore, live and feel” project, which makes it possible to experience a walk along the municipality's trails or surf the waves on our beaches.
Endogenous products from Aljezur, such as Lyra sweet potatoes and Amendoim do Rogil, will also shine at this event, being sampled in local delicacies.
«Participation in BTL is more than a simple presence at a tourism fair, it is, above all, a declaration of intentions. Aljezur is not just a destination: it is a living experience of the “Natural Algarve”, which harmoniously combines the preservation of the environment and traditions, with the quality tourist offer», says the municipality.
also Faro It will be promoted in an integrated space of Algarve Tourism. The Municipality will highlight cultural tourism, through its rich historical and architectural heritage, as well as nature tourism, namely the Ria Formosa and the beaches, located on its barrier islands of Barreta (Deserta), Culatra, Farole beach of Faro, and also gastronomy and leisure, associated with this natural paradise in the municipality.
Another of the major themes taken by the municipality to BTL will be nautical tourism, in particular the dissemination of the digital platform of the Nautical Station of Faro and the promotion of leisure experiences and sports, together with support services for visitors and crew.
In this sense, the Municipality, as the coordinating entity of the Nautical Station of Faro, will also participate in the program promoted by Fórum Oceano, dedicated to Nautical Stations, on February 29th, where it will present its structure, with the aim of continuing to affirm the city as a destination of excellence in this segment.
Still in this edition of BTL, the Municipality of Faro will be present at the Estrada Nacional (EN2) stand, space of the Association of Municipalities of Estrada Nacional 2, to promote its point of arrival (or departure), which is in the city, seeking to continue the affirmation of this tourist route, which has been gaining growing relevance and which brings the Faro an increasing number of national and foreign visitors.
The Municipality of Lagoa will present the anchor events of the Municipality on March 1st, at 10:15 am.
Just like last year, Loulé will have its own stand, located in Pavilion 2, where, throughout these days, there will be various presentations linked to events and projects promoted by the Chamber and other partners.
The highlight goes to the MED Festival, which has had a privileged showcase in this event, and this year will be no exception – especially as MED marks its 20th anniversary. Some of the new features will be presented this Friday, March 1st, at 18:30 pm, at the Loulé stand at BTL.
The Loulé Carnival, the Festa da Espiga, the Quarteira Popular Marches, the Alte Arts and Culture Week, the Chocolate Fair will also have moments of presentation in this space, as will key projects in economic and tourist terms, such as the Vilamoura Nautical Station, Loulé Criativo or the Loulé Film Office.
At the same time, Loulé will have its representation at the Cultural and Religious Tourism Desk, with the Festa da Mãe Soberana.
Already at the Algarve stand and in the space dedicated to Geoparks, the aspiring Algarvensis Geopark will have another moment of promotion, which will be integrated into the dossier to be presented, soon, to UNESCO, this in conjunction with the Municipalities of Albufeira and Silves.
In this space, using Artificial Intelligence, it will also be possible to discover the territory through technology that will transport the visitor on a journey through Loulé.
In addition, gastronomic or craft experiences will be held.
Olhão It will also be present in Pavilion 1 and take the public to discover the beaches, the natural and architectural wealth, but also the gastronomy and its greatest treasure, the Ria Formosa.
The Municipality will also take the opportunity to announce the lineup for this year's edition of the Seafood Festival.
The promotion of Olhão as a tourist destination among professionals in the sector and the general public will also include the offer of 10 thematic experiences, which consist of overnight packages, meals, sightseeing tours and tickets to various spaces in the municipality, which will provide the winners with an opportunity to get to know the wonders of Olhão.
Each winner will be offered a disposable camera, which will be used to record, in first person, the days spent in the municipality.
As far as gastronomy is concerned, Olhão's folar will once again be present, as well as one of the municipality's main products, fleur de sel. Floripes, the creation of one of the most renowned pastry chefs in the municipality, will also be presented to the BTL public.
Portimão, for its part, has scheduled for 15pm next Sunday, March 00rd, the presentation at BTL – Lisbon Tourism Exchange of the program commemorating the Centenary of Portimão's Elevation to City and the events that will mark the municipality throughout this year.
The ceremony will take place in the Algarve space (Pavilion 1 – Stand 1A05), followed, at 16pm, by a visit to the stand of the Portimão Museum, integrated into BTL Cultural, an initiative curated by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Vila Real de Santo António is once again present at the Lisbon Tourism Exchange (BTL), the reference exhibition for national tourism. Between February 28th and March 3rd, in a space integrated into the new stand of the Algarve Tourism Region, the municipality will promote the best it has to offer to those who visit it.
On February 29th, at 12:00 pm, the Municipalities of Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim and Ayamonte will promote the artificial intelligence video project of Eurocidade do Guadiana, from which it will be possible to see and hear the potential of this territory, explained by each of the mayors, in several languages and in real time. The municipality of VRSA will be represented by the president of the Chamber Álvaro Araújo.
On March 1st, at 11 am, the sports event will be presented by the councilor responsible for Culture Álvaro Leal. Monte Gordo Sand Race, part of the Sand Racing World Cup (motorcycles and quads).
Later, at 14:30 pm, the second edition of the Vila Real de Santo António Setecentista Historical Festival will be announced.
Tavira On the 1st of March, between 15:00 pm and 15:30 pm, it will present the Casa Santos Lima wine demonstration and the tasting of regional products.
Also the Alentejo Tourism will have one stand own.
Here, the Municipality of Montemor-o-NovoEg, will be represented, on the 29th, between 14pm and 00pm, by the União de Freguesias de Cortiçadas de Lavre and Lavre, and, between 16pm and 00pm, by Burriscas Campismo Rural.
On March 1st, between 10:00 am and 13:00 pm, the Municipality will be at the Promotional Stand on Estrada Nacional 2 (EN2), while between 16:00 pm and 18:00 pm it is possible to find out more about the initiatives of the Parish Council of Cabrela and, between at 20:00 pm and 22:00 pm, about Tia Dulce.
On March 2nd, between 14pm and 00pm, the Parish Council of Santiago do Escoural will be in the space; between 16pm and 00pm, Al-Zulejo – Maria Teresa Meira; between 16pm and 00pm, Sílvia Romão, and, between 18pm and 00pm, Herdade do Barrocal de Baixo;
On the last day, the Lavre Festival will be presented, and it will be possible to find out more about União Freguesias Vila Bispo Silveiras and Restaurante A Ribeira.
The Municipality of Beja will also be at BTL, in the Alentejo space. For those who visit the counter there will be prizes, raffles, offers, competitions, conventual sweets and gifts.
But the strong day will be March 1st. From 17 pm to 18 pm, there will be singing and viola campaniça, with Paulo Colaço, followed by a tasting of Beja wines, commented by Manuel Baioa and José Gonçalves, from Herdade da Figueirinha, and the presentation from the script «À Volta de Beja».
The participation of Moura at the Lisbon Tourism Exchange it is also carried out within the scope of the territory's promotion strategy, integrated into the annual activity plan of the Regional Tourism Entity of Alentejo and Ribatejo.
In addition to a stand where, this year, the municipality's historical heritage will be highlighted, through the availability of a collection of stamps produced by the Municipality of Moura in partnership with CTT, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April. Moura Professional School, Moura Nautical Station – Alqueva and Herdade da Contenda.
Students from Escola Profissional de Moura are promoting, this Wednesday, at 12 noon, a tasting of the Moura Olive Oil Pudding.
The Nautical Station of Moura – Alqueva will be present at BTL, on Thursday, the 29th, as part of the presentation of the Nautical Stations of Alentejo.
On Friday, March 1st, the day will be dedicated to Nature Tourism. In this sense, Herdade da Contenda will be present at BTL with the aim of promoting the annual calendar of hiking trails, as well as the Contenda Natur Center.
The Municipality of Odemira will also be at the Stand of the Regional Tourism Entity of Alentejo and Ribatejo, in Pavilion 1.
“Creative Tourism” is the highlighted theme of the representation of this municipality. Throughout the first day, workshops on Alentejo painting (by Margarida Pedro) and Alentejo gourds (Paula Ludovino) will be promoted, through CACO – Association of Artisans of the Municipality of Odemira, in order to promote creative tourism.
Odemira will also be highlighted on the 28th, with the presentation of the “Atlantic Diet” event, at 13 pm.
The “Atlantic Diet” will be presented by Sandra Soares, coordinator of the Quintas Ciência Viva network. Chef António Lourenço will present the preparation of a dish and Odemira City Councilor Isabel Palma will give an intervention on “The relevance of the Atlantic Diet in Odemira”. The event will end with a tasting of Atlantic Diet products.
Over the five days of BTL, there will also be regional products to taste in the Municipality of Odemira, to showcase the flavors of the municipality.
The Municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz it will be at BTL, with a space in the area dedicated to Alentejo and Ribatejo Tourism, where it will carry out activities for tourism professionals and the public.
There will be on display blankets from Reguengos, pieces from the São Pedro do Corval Pottery Center, wines, olive oil, gin and honey from producers in the municipality.
From Wednesday to Friday, working meetings will take place with tour operators, travel agencies and companies in the tourism sector, there will be wine tastings from producers in the municipality and an exhibition of regional sweets.
On Thursday, the Monsaraz Nautical Station will be announced as part of the presentation of Alentejo's nautical stations, followed by a tasting of wines and regional products from all nautical stations.
On Saturday, the launch of the new institutional image of Reguengos de Monsaraz will take place and the São Pedro do Corval Pottery Center will be represented in the municipality's space by Olaria Carrilho Lopes, with live work painting pottery pieces.
During the weekend, as part of the Kids Route initiative, children will be able to have fun with Cubetto, the exploring robot that, through games, will show the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Also the Municipality of Viana do Alentejo will be present at BTL.
The presence, in pavilion 1, integrated with Turismo do Alentejo e Ribatejo includes some promotional actions at the municipal stand, namely the process of manufacturing rattles, on the 28th of February, with Rui Picavéu, and the pottery with Feliciano Agostinho, on the February 29th, at the municipality stand.
For the 2nd of March, also at the municipality's stand, a “Hortas Velhas” wine tasting is scheduled, between 15pm and 00pm.
On the same day, at 18pm, in the Turismo do Alentejo e Ribatejo auditorium, the XXII Pilgrimage on Horseback Moita » Viana do Alentejo is held, which will take place from the 00rd to the 23th of April. In this edition, the event continues for another day and with different stages.
In pavilion 2, the National Road 2 project will be promoted, through a partnership between the Municipality and the National Road Route 2 Association, where the municipality's convent sweets will be highlighted, with products from Margarida Ilhéu, Casa Maria Vitória, Mariana Nunes and Margarida Maia.
The Municipality of Vidigueira will also be present at the Lisbon Tourism Exchange, with a Wine Tasting by Ribafreixo Wines, on the 28th, at 14pm, Presentation of the Adega da Zabele project, at 00pm, and a Wine Tasting by Honrado Vineyards, at 16pm.
On the 29th, at 11:00 am, the radio program “Terras de Pão, Gentes de Paz” (Municipality of Vidigueira), broadcast on Rádio Vidigueira (90.0 FM), will be live from the Lisbon Tourism Exchange. At 12:00 pm there will be a promotional event for the Vidigueira Vinho event and Easter Eats Gastronomic Week, washed down with Vidigueira wines, with shocooking and a tasting of Quinta do Quetzal wines; at 15pm there is a Quinta do Quetzal Wine Tasting; at 00:17 pm Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito Wine Tasting and at 00:18 pm Talha de Frades Wine Tasting.
On the 2nd and 3rd of March there will be a tasting of local products, at 17pm, Espaço Vidigueira.
This year, BTL will have more than 1400 exhibitors, representing 75 international destinations and, according to the organization, more than 60 thousand visitors will be expected.
On the 28th and 29th of February, BTL is open only to professionals, between 10am and 00pm. On March 19st, it operates between 00am and 1pm, for professionals, and between 10pm and 00pm, for the public.
On Saturday, it is open to everyone between 12pm and 00pm, and on Sunday, between 23pm and 00pm.
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