With five miles of sumptuous sandy beaches and guaranteed summer sunshine, Porto Santo is set to become a hot destination for 2008. Janine Kelso unravels the delights of this Portuguese island.
Porto Santo has long been a hit with Portuguese holidaymakers although it remains largely unknown to the rest of the world. Part of the Madeira archipelago, this hidden gem is poised to become a hot destination for 2008.
What’s new?
Porto Santo is set to become more accessible to Brits this year thanks to the launch of a direct charter flight.
Specialist operator Atlantic Holidays is introducing the three-hour flight from Gatwick to Porto Santo on May 5 and it will operate weekly until October 27. Until now, the tiny island has only been accessible by ferry or flight from Madeira Island.
Holiday Options commercial director Alan Brown has welcomed the new flight; he said:
“We used to sell Porto Santo as part of Madeira, but now we can market it in its own right. Now customers can get there from the UK in three- and-a-half hours.”
Also new is the Pestana Porto Santo hotel, which opened earlier this month. Situated on the beachfront near an 18-hole golf course, the 274-room hotel is the island’s first five-star property and it features a spa, swimming pools, kids’ clubs, tennis courts and three restaurants.
Starwood will open the five-star Colombo’s Resort in Porto Santo in December. It will have 99 rooms and 11 restaurants, serving Portuguese, Asian and Italian fare.
Why go now?
Water sports fans can make the most of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream by trying jetskiing, fishing, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing.
For golfers, there are two 18-hole courses and one nine-hole pitch and putt course. Other highlights include wine tasting and a visit to the zoological garden, full of exotic birds.
Classic Collection head of commercial and purchasing Gary Boyer thinks Porto Santo is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. He said: “It’s great for idyllic beach holidays for families and couples. There are some nice fish restaurants and shops along the beach.”
Brown added: “Porto Santo is clean, safe and not at all crowded. What’s more, it has the best golf course in Europe.”
Sample product
Atlantic Holidays offers seven night’s bed and breakfast at the four-star Aparthotel Luamar in June for £509 per person, including flights and transfers.
Classic Collection offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Pestana Porto Santo in May for £686 per person, including flights and transfers.
Holiday Options offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at Hotel Porto Santo for £499 per person in June, including flights and transfers.
Get the knowledge
The Association of Travel Organisers to Portugal (ATOP) is working hard to expand the destinations of choice for agents.
Travel agents can enrol on a training programme on the website to gen up on Portugal and become an expert on the country.
ATOP president Mary Anne Popoff said: “We are quite active in promoting to trade. We take educationals and we have a website which is a training module for agents and allows them the possibility of becoming a ‘Portugal Specialist’, meaning they are more knowledgeable when talking to customers.
“The agents who complete the modules will be incentivised, which is always popular.”
To learn more about the country, and new destinations like Porto Santo, visit discoverportugal.org.uk.
