Getting into the spirit of the season and filled with gratitude to be able to call this wonderful country home, we have been reflecting on the marvels Portugal has to offer for any incentive, conference or corporate event.

So, if you have your carolling hats on, let us get straight to it.

On the 1st day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

The number one spot on Europe’s best weather charts

(making it the best place for sand, sun and sea).

From Madeira to the Algarve, Portugal ranks highly on all winter sun charts as well as summer holiday destinations, making the country an excellent year-round destination for all occasions.

On the 2nd day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

2 bustling cities

sand, sun and sea.

Filled with life, culture and history, Lisbon and Porto have made it onto countless must-visit lists and make excellent locations to host all manner of event. There are far more than 2 cities in Portugal though, so and even though the two main cities provide more options of venue, other choices can also be found in smaller cities scattered up and down the country.

On the 3rd day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

3 types of landscape

2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

From snowy mountains to rolling plains and golden beaches, Europe’s most westerly point has it all and then some.

On the 4th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

4 seasons

3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

4 distinct seasons, each with its own unique characteristics and beauty. Offering diverse and stunning landscapes, with something for everyone to enjoy no matter the time of year.

On the 5th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

5 continental regions

4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

5 separate regions on the continent and 2 autonomous archipelagos, each with their own traditional dishes and specialties, make Portugal a foodie paradise to be savoured, whether on an incentive trip or as part of a conference.

On the 6th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

6 most common types of venues

5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

From world-leading classic hotels and conference centres of all shapes and sizes to art galleries, restaurants and bars for all tastes, not to mention the quintessential Portuguese “Quinta”, there are far more than 6 types of venues in Portugal.

On the 7th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination

6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

200 kilometres of beaches of all shapes and sizes, from golden sandy swathes to dramatic rocky cliffs, have earned the Algarve the title 7 years.

On the 8th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

8 (x2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites

7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination
6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

Allowing for events of all kinds, from adventure to wine-tasting and historic to cultural, Portugal’s 16 sites provide for a surprise around every corner.

On the 9th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

9 nature reserves

8 (x2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites
7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination
6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

Spread across the country and providing for peaceful paradise after peaceful paradise filled with wildlife and striking sceneries, each natural reserve is more beautiful than the next, providing for countless options of escapes to nature.

On the 10th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

One of Europe’s 10 most affordable cities

9 nature reserves
8 (x2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites
7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination
6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

Considering the quality of venues and variety of food options, not to mention the weather, Portugal has excellent bang for your buck price quality whichever way you look at it. With Lisbon ranking as one of Europe’s 10 cheapest cities, the entire country is known for its affordable prices and high quality.

On the 11th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

Very few reasons to call 11(2)

One of Europe’s 10 most affordable cities
9 nature reserves
8 (x2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites
7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination
6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

The 3rd safest country in the world, Portugal is both peaceful and politically stable with a generally low crime rate, making it a joy to visit, whether in the big cities or more remote areas.

On the 12th day of event planning,
Portugal gave to me…

12 wine regions

Very few reasons to call 11(2)
One of Europe’s 10 most affordable cities
9 nature reserves
8 (x2) UNESCO World Heritage Sites
7 years as Europe’s leading beach destination
6 most common types of venues
5 continental regions
4 seasons
3 types of landscape
2 bustling cities
sand, sun and sea.

To round off the joys of Portugal, none other than 12 distinct wine regions providing wines for all palates. From wine tasting in sprawling vineyards in the Alentejo to sampling port on the banks of the Douro, each region has a unique offer ranging all the way to the World’s Leading Wine Region Hotel, which is conveniently located near Lisbon.

These 12 marvels and so much more make Portugal an event planner’s paradise, one that promises to unearth secrets and hidden treasures at every turn, so why not let us plan your next event here? One filled with sand, sun and sea?

As the pandemic restrictions slowly ease and business gains some semblance of normality our thoughts turn to events, whether meetings, incentive trips or conferences and how they will operate in this ‘new normal’. Drawn to that bright light shining at the end of the tunnel, we have put together some tips to consider when planning your event, ensuring a little forward planning and the right measures are in place for safe, successful experiences for all involved.

From mountains and snow to dense forests, bustling towns, sleepy villages, and world-renowned resorts the choice of venue is endless in Portugal. With flights now back to operating globally, Portugal’s cautious yet consistent reopening makes it an ideal place to plan any MICE event. Once you have narrowed down the locale here are some aspects to consider, ensuring your next event goes off without a hitch.

Cleanliness at MICE events

The pandemic sure has taught us a lot, not least about cleanliness and the spreading of germs. Though they may have seemed alien at first, hand washing and sanitisers are here to stay. So too are cleanliness standards in venues, ensuring each locale is cleaned and checked before, during and after any event.

Clean and Safe Seal

Quick on the uptake when it came to ensuring tourist establishments (from accommodation to event venues) met the newest cleanliness standards being issued by the government as the pandemic took hold, the Portuguese Tourism Board implemented a seal that ensured establishments had had the training required and met the necessary standards to keep all their guests safe right from the offset. When looking for a venue, ensure it has the seal to guarantee it meets the highest cleanliness standards.

Hand Sanitiser Stations

While the Clean and Safe seal may ensure the venue is as germ-free as possible, keeping attendees safe means providing hand sanitiser stations spread evenly around your venue so that they can keep their hands sanitised at all times.

Event Management with Social Distancing

As well as keeping event venues clean, another pandemic rule set to live on is social distancing, which is sure to affect MICE events in more ways than one. Many standard parts of events will now have to be reconsidered to ensure as little contact between attendees as possible. Potential solutions could include spread-out seating plans to prevent crowding, as well as measures to avoid queueing, the sharing of equipment and utensils, and people generally milling around for whatever reason.

One effective way to streamline the social distancing aspect of events is to have them outdoors allowing guests to enjoy open-air venues and keep safer, all in one. Known for its excellent weather, especially further south, Portugal provides plenty of venue options that take advantage of year-round sunshine and striking sceneries.

Planning an Event with Certificates and Testing

With 85% of the population now vaccinated, Portugal no longer requires a vaccination certificate for accommodation or to eat indoors at restaurants (as of the 1st of October). However, attendees of large events and those travelling to Portugal will need to provide either a vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test result.

Providing quick testing facilities and ensuring the country’s stringent rules are upheld keeps everyone safe, from staff to guests, upping event safety and putting minds at ease.

Hybrid MICE events

The final consideration to keep in mind when hosting a MICE event post-pandemic is making it hybrid. Though many people are willing to travel and network in person again, many are still not, so making your event hybrid by streaming it on high-quality equipment brings many benefits:

• Attendees being allowed to choose whether they want to attend the event in-person or online.
• Lower numbers of physical participants; facilitating social distancing and giving events a more personal feel will allow people to network more effectively.
• A reduction in the need to travel for many, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the event.

Portugal’s versatility and iconic culture make it a perfect MICE destination for any bespoke event , so with bit of careful planning and some extra measures in place, you can be sure your next event will be one for the books for all the right reasons.