The Madeira Promotion Bureau hopes to attract more than 900 UK travel agents to train via its new e-learning course.
Five modules are available via OTT, covering a range of experiences available on the Portuguese island.
The modules also showcase Madeira’s nature and wildlife; lifestyle and activities; the sister island of Porto Santo; and events and entertainment.
At the end of each module, there is a quiz to test the agents’ knowledge.
Five of the agents who complete the five modules will be picked at random for a fam trip to Madeira, which is scheduled for December 2021.
Joana Dias, account manager for the UK, Ireland, Nordic countries and Benelux, said: “We will have a chance to impact at least 900 travel agents registered on this platform.
“Our aim is to inspire travel agents to sell Madeira when travel restrictions are lifted.
“This is an excellent tool that will enable us to continue educating travel agents…and will certainly contribute to a greater awareness of the destination.
“Even though it not possible to travel right now, we feel it’s important to keep communicating and keep Madeira ‘front of mind’ among agents.”
She said Madeira has positioned itself as “one of the safest destinations in Europe”, adding: “It is the perfect retreat for the post-lockdown adventure.
“There is a wide array of activities…whether you are an adrenaline junkie or looking for something more laid-back.”
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Discover the contemporary appeal of the Portuguese island of Madeira
She said the course is the bureau’s second e-learning offering with OTT.
“The debut was one of the most successful courses of all time for OTT: a total of 884 agents completed the course during 2018-2019,” added Diaz.
Diaz said the destination was seeing very late bookings during December, before the latest lockdown, but new bookings are now at a low level because of the uncertainty about travel restrictions.
“Demand will depend on the vaccine roll-out,” she said.
“As soon as travel restrictions are lifted, holidaymakers will aim for spring-summer 2021 or winter 2021-22.
“You will have an enormous amount of people wanting to travel, and you will have the re-bookings from 2020.”
She said Brits who are booking Madeira holidays are those looking for good weather and who want to feel safe while sightseeing and dining – as well as many repeat guests.
“We anticipate that the older demographic will be the first to travel to Madeira post-lockdown, as they are the first ones to be vaccinated,” she commented.