The Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) continues to look to the digital world to promote the region abroad as an alternative to the traditional tourism fairs, some of which are still being cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The most recent example was Vakantiebeurs, the largest tourism fair in the Netherlands which was due to take place in January.
As an alternative, the association took part, on January 25 and 26, in ‘The Destinations B2B Event’ – an online event organised by Travelution Magazine and aimed at the Dutch and Belgian markets. For two days, over 200 participants learned about the Algarve and what it has to offer as a tourist destination.
Said ATA, the event was a success as the association was able to carry out 20 virtual meetings, which were “useful to network and develop potential partnerships with operators”.
Operators were particularly interested in learning about the “diversity of experiences” that the Algarve has to offer, particularly for family trips and outdoor experiences that can be enjoyed outside of the busy summer season.
These outdoor experiences were already popular with the Dutch but are now even more appealing due to the pandemic.
The Algarve’s “image of confidence” when it comes to “hygiene, safety and the management of the pandemic” were other factors that stood out to operators, ATA added.
Apart from the meetings, participants were also challenged to take part in an online quiz for a chance to win a trip to the Algarve to see in person everything that the region has to offer visitors.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to give tourism professionals the run-around and demands the capacity to respond and adapt quickly,” Algarve tourism chief João Fernandes said.
This is precisely what ATA has been doing throughout the last two years, he said, adding that the association has adopted a “very flexible” promotion strategy.
