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?

When the opportunity arises for us to delve into the world of tourism events, shows and fairs, here at Portugal Travel Team we are always eager to be in the heart of the action. This has never been as true as it is now. 2021 and we could not have been more pleased to get a taste of normality again with international fairs going ahead as the year draws to a close.

A taste of normality came in the shape of IMEX in Las Vegas in early November, which is set to be closely followed by the IBTM in Barcelona in end of November beginning of December. As such, following new ideas, new contacts, and experiences gained in the US, we wanted to take this opportunity to share the importance of DMCs attending tourism events.

From keeping up to date with an ever-evolving market to meeting other key players and getting the word out about our own services, industry events (whether trade shows or fairs) are the place to do it for so many reasons. Here are a few:

Sales Leads

The underlying goal of attending any event is often to get business leads and increase a company’s database. A substantial driver for companies to participate in any event is meeting and connecting with potential clients, and whether these contacts translate to business in the immediate or more distant future, they oftentimes prove to be highly beneficial.

Developing Brand Awareness

Not only are trade shows excellent for brand awareness, but they are also a fantastic opportunity to improve overall recognition within the industry. This is done by letting potential customers, partners, and competitors know what you do, how you do it and what makes you different.

Market Research & Competitor analysis

As well as sharing details on your own operations, tourism events are also a great opportunity to delve into what competitors are doing. This may cover what they are able to offer their clients and serve as benchmark and/or inspiration on directions in which to grow and evolve. This also goes for new industry developments.

Increasing business

By creating a b2b setting, tourism trade shows and similar events are optimal for bringing businesses together to develop new partnerships and business relationships. From a great place to put forward proposals to exchanging ideas and even finding a company that fills the gap in your services. Industry events are the perfect stage for fruitful interactions likely to lead to a promising future.

Building Reputation

Participating and being seen at a reputable show automatically positions a business as reputable. This is both thanks to the level of professionalism, reliability and organisation required to successfully participate in a trade show/fair and the company’s name being linked to other industry experts at such events.

Keeping in Touch

On a more social note, which especially applies this year, industry events are the perfect opportunity to get back in touch with other industry players we may not have seen in a while. Shows provide an opportunity for partners and businesses to see each other, catch up and strengthen bonds with both new and pre-existing clients, partners and friends.

Making memories

Finally, and possibly most importantly, business events are just like any other in the sense that they bring people together in celebration. To acknowledge another year in business, another year of opportunities seized, and another year of developments and bridges built. Because we all deserve to celebrate our achievements as an industry and as individuals!

On this note, we look forward to the tourism events to come and hope to mingle with our trusted partners, colleagues, and fellow industry friends and professionals in the near future.

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.

Please don’t attempt to exit customs or board a flight with a positive COVID test, this will only delay your vacation. Refrain from same day testing at the airport to avoid surprises. Despite Portugal’s advance in vaccination and entering the last phase of unlockdown, there are still some safety measures advised, take note:

Masks are mandatory for all indoors occasions. They’re not mandatory outdoors, although recommended when social distancing is not possible.

There is not a curfew in place.

Quarantine will take place for illnesses, those under active observation, and those suspected of being infected with COVID-19.

Entry and Exit Requirements: PORTUGAL

Testing Requirements: All authorized travelers arriving from the United States, except for children under 12 years old must submit one of the following.

• A EU Digital Vaccination Certificate
• A negative SARSCoV-2 lab result of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), for example a PCR test, performed in the last 72 hours or
• A negative rapid antigen test (TRAg) performed within 48 hours of boarding

Current regulations allow U.S. citizens to travel directly from the United States to Portugal for non-essential travel (i.e. tourism) with proof of an accepted COVID-19 test.

Entry and Exit Requirements: UNITED STATES

Testing Requirements: All airline passengers to the United States, including U.S. citizens, ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within the three days prior to travel.

Source https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

The meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) market is continually growing and evolving, shining a spotlight on new destinations filled with striking landscapes housing unique venues just waiting to be explored. When it comes to finding the best beach destinations for events, Portugal is a must on any list, with its 943 km of coastline providing all manner of beach destinations for any and all circumstances.

The Algarve

Home to the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Algarve tops any list of beach destinations. Soaring, rugged cliffs in the West give way to long sandy stretches lapped at by the clear waters of a saltwater lagoon dotted with paradisiacal islands to the East, making the southern coast ideal for incentive travel or even a trip for the whole family. While conference centres and hotels provide facilities to meet the business atmosphere sought by some, others may revel in water sports aplenty, year-round sunshine and world-renowned restaurants serving fresh seafood and the Algarve’s own take on Mediterranean cuisine. The southern Portuguese coast promises to be truly memorable, whatever the occasion.

The Vicentine Coast

From secret coves to beaches ideal for catching some waves, the slow pace of life in the Alentejo provides the perfect opportunity to sample some of the finer things in life. Whether it’s wine tasting among rows of twisted vines stretching as far as the eye can see or hearty meals of pork and clams, the golden light and tranquillity of southern Portugal provide an idyllic setting for a diversity of events, whether higher class or more rustic in nature.

Lisbon

Known as a bustling capital city filled with culture, Lisbon’s proximity to the coast gives it the perfect balance between cosmopolitan locales filled with culture and history and coastal villages perched on the edge of dramatic cliffs. From leisure to tourism, Lisbon is home to venues of all shapes and sizes, catering to anything from hundreds of participants to secluded getaways. The capital is the centre of it all and is sure never to disappoint on any front.

Central Portugal

Providing an unbeatable choice of beaches perfect for catching some of the world’s largest waves, central Portugal is where Garrett McNamara broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. Home to Nazaré and Peniche – surf cities par excellence – travellers to this area are often keen to discover why Portugal has been awarded the title of ‘Best Surf Destination’, not to mention exploring charming fishing villages, untouched forests, and cities loomed over by castles filled with tales of Moorish princesses.

One of the safest countries in the world showcasing age-old traditions at every turn coupled with world-renowned resorts able to cater to groups of all sizes. Portugal’s versatility and iconic culture make it a MICE destination perfect for any bespoke event, whichever of its hundreds of beaches fits the bill.