Portimão-based company Allgav Tuk Tuk has been named the Algarve’s Tour Operator of the Year by British magazine Luxury Travel Guide.
Established three years ago, the company specialises in trips aboard a ‘tuk tuk’ (an electric three-wheel motorcycle) in Portimão, Silves, Lagoa and Monchique, giving visitors a unique look into towns’ less popular but equally interesting landmarks.
Proud of his achievements, founder Vasco Chaveca (pictured) says the accolade nonetheless came as a surprise.
“I was contacted directly by the magazine and told that the company was shortlisted for the Algarve’s Best Tour Operator, as they had a lot of excellent feedback from clients about our company and our tours,” he told Barlavento newspaper.
The idea to start the company came after his honeymoon in Thailand, where ‘tuk tuks’ are commonly used to transport tourists.
Chaveca saw the potential to use the vehicle in the Algarve, and show tourists that the region is more than just sun and its beaches.
“One of the things that bothered me the most in summer was seeing the contrast between crowded beaches and deserted town centres,” he explained.
Confident his idea would work, Chaveca decided to leave a career in real estate and start the company with the help of his wife in 2013.
Since then, Allgav Tuk Tuk has been steadily growing in popularity and is expecting business to improve even more now that it has won this award.
www.allgav-tuktuk.pt
