Between the global financial crisis and the weak pound, Portugal felt the pinch last year but there are signs of a rebound.
Page and Moy is seeing increasing demand for its all-inclusive holidays and escorted tours, while Sunvil Discovery expects city breaks to Lisbon and Porto and countrywide flydrives to stay strong in 2010.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook, anticipating that Portugal will be popular with the premium market, has three new, high-end brochures that feature properties in the Algarve.
As part of its Perfectly Priced ad campaign, the Portuguese tourist board is allowing operators and airlines to post special offers on its website. In addition, it also offers a tailor-made Portugal training course for travel agents.
Here is a selection of great holidays to suggest to your clients:
A relaxing break on Madeira
Perfect for: Retired couples, golfers, quiet romantic getaways.
Tell me more: Madeira combines year-round warmth and sunshine with golf, food and wine, walking, water sports, diving and botanical gardens.
The boutique hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro has superb food, an intimate atmosphere, gardens, and a new spa. It’s also next door to the renowned Palheiro golf course.
Sample product: Cadogan has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Casa Velha do Palheiro in mid-March for £998 per person. The price includes flights with TAP from Gatwick. cadoganagents.com, 0238 082 8440
A northern Portugal flydrive
Perfect for: Independent types, culture vultures, food and wine buffs.
Tell me more: A flydrive is the best way for your clients to explore the quiet roads, heritage, coastline, food and wine of this distinctive region of northern Portugal at their own pace.
Following a carefully tailored route, your clients get to see the best of the region, staying in historic, deluxe accommodation. The itinerary combines Porto with its port wine houses and lively riverside, the northern town of Viana do Castelo on the Spanish border, and lots of spectacular mountain scenery.
Sample product: Sunvil Discovery has a 10-night Northern Portugal Flydrive this spring from £843 per person twin-share. The price includes 10 nights’ bed and breakfast (including two free nights), TAP flights from Heathrow to Porto, and car hire. 020 8568 4499
A singles cruise on the River Douro
Perfect for: Laid-back, sociable solos.
Tell me more: The cruise starts in Porto and heads up the River Douro, between steep-sided hills, to the port wine vineyards near the Spanish border. On the way there are plenty of chances to stretch the legs, with stops in the charming ‘wine towns’ of Regua, Barca d’Alva and Pinhao.
Sample product: Just You Holidays offers a six-day Douro River Cruise this April from £839 per person, including flights, a private cabin, on-board entertainment, and services of a tour manager. No single supplements apply. 0870 252 8008
A self-catering break in Albufeira
Perfect for: Young families or couples looking for beach and nightlife.
Tell me more: Albufeira is located in the heart of the Algarve and self-catering leaves clients free to explore the many local eating options.
Clients can divide their time between the hotel pool, the beach, and the hectic Albufeira nightlife. Looking beyond Albufeira, the Algarve region has much to offer in terms of live music, sports, culture, food and, of course, great beaches and golf.
Sample product: Thomas Cook has seven nights’ self-catering at the four-star Paraiso de Albufeira from £324 per adult and £289 per child. The price is valid for April 4 departures from Manchester, and includes return flights to Faro. thomascookworld.com, 0871 230 2399
