Brazilian Market with growing interest in Tourism in Algarve

Following its participation in ILTM Latin America, the main event dedicated to the luxury tourism industry in Latin America that took place last week in São Paulo, the Tourism Association of Algarve (ATA) - the agency responsible for the region's external promotion as a tourist destination - was invited to join the Portugal 360 event, which starts today in Rio de Janeiro. This initiative, which runs until May 20, aims to make known to the Brazilian market a new vision of Portugal as an authentic, diversified, enterprising and modern country.

This invitation enabled ATA to continue the promotion of the region in Brazil, confirming the growing interest this market has shown towards Algarve as a tourist destination. The indicators confirm this growth trend: according to the latest INE data for March 2018, the Brazilian market is already the eighth market in terms of the number of international guests in Algarve, registering an accumulated growth of 42,5% compared to March of last year.

Participation in ILTM, where ATA and the associates who accompanied it had the opportunity to meet with some of the best operators and travel agents in Brazil dedicated to the luxury segment, not only allowed to promote the added value and differentiated offer of the region, but also the collection of relevant information about the profile of this market and its vision regarding Algarve. Following the 78 meetings held there, ATA concluded that the Brazilian tourist already has a great knowledge of Lisbon and the North of Portugal, and is now beginning to arouse their curiosity about Algarve and its tourist offer. The professionals of the sector stop looking at the region only as a destination of sun and sea and are now starting to look for it to respond to other motivations, especially seeing a greater desire for the destination for the realization of weddings and honeymoons. Other attractions in the region such as the theme parks and water parks, the race track or the natural beauty of the existing cycling and walking routes begin to stand out in the preferences of the Brazilian market. Many Brazilian travel agents have already reached the status of main customer with some DMC`s in Algarve.

"The Brazilian tourist looking for Algarve is a very interesting visitor, not only for having a high purchasing power but also for revealing an increasing desire to know the destination outside the high season and to explore the diversity of its tourist offer "explains Dora Coelho, executive director of ATA. "In this context, we are extremely pleased with the feedback we have obtained in recent days, as a result of our presence at ILTM, and it is with great enthusiasm that we will now participate in the Portugal 360 event, an initiative that will make it known from different angles, a portrait of a new, innovative and modern country, a reality that is also transversal to the offer and promotion of the Algarve as a tourist destination, "he concludes.

Through a diversified program, which includes lectures, workshops, entertainment actions and the activation of national brands, among other activities, the Portugal 360 event will bring together audiences from different sectors, such as the economy, tourism, culture, gastronomy, sports, education and leisure, which here will have the opportunity to foster networking and to be amazed by the capacity for renewal and reinvention of the Portuguese offer. On the first day of the event a presentation about Algarve with travel agents is planned, which has already sold out.