Five travel agents were invited through the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers to take part in a fam trip to Porto and northern Portugal last month.
The trip was organised by the tourist board for Porto and Northern Portugal, and included visits to vineyards, beaches and museums, plus mountain tours and a cruise on the Douro river.
The two-and-a-quarter-hour flights between Gatwick and Porto were provided by TAP Air Portugal.
The trip took place from April 19-22 and agents were from Full Circle Travel, Your Holiday Booking, Hays Travel, Travelfox and Travel Knights.
Niall Douglas (Full Circle Travel) said: “I have already been recommending Porto and the North to clients and stressing that it is so much more than just a Douro river cruise.
“There is something for everyone, be it adrenaline sports or culinary delights.
“I am already planning a return and hope to do some cycling there as it looks to be a perfect destination.”
More: Visit Portugal launches wine tourism website
Angela Parsley (Hays Travel) added: “We’ve just had clients return from Porto on a trip we’d arranged for them and I was able to give them advice and recommendations. They were blown away.”
She said the e-gates at Porto airport for UK passport holders were “really helpful” and the checks for Covid vaccinations were no problem.
Carol Smith (Your Holiday Booking) commented: “I shall be recommending my clients visit Porto, which can be twin-centred as a city break with a Douro river cruise.
“I really do hope to return one day and experience more of this beautiful and diverse area of Portugal.”
Alice Fonseca, product project manager at Visit Portugal UK, said: “The fam was a great opportunity to get to know the region, since most only knew about Porto and the river cruises.
“It was great to welcome travel agents from Atas to experience Portugal and to discover incredible places that they didn’t know existed.
“Portugal is so diverse and we hope that more agents will have the chance of learning more about the amazing offer that Portugal, both for adventure, touring and – of course – wine tourism.”
Claire Brighton, Atas account director, added: “I’m so delighted that the Portugal fam trip was such a hit with the agents, the tourist board and the airline.
“Everyone involved has been enthusiastic about the trip which has inspired agents to promote the region’s activities and touring opportunities to clients.
“Visit Portugal really are making the most of their Atas membership by targeting agents through our association to ensure they reach the best candidates for such a trip.”
Agents interested in signing up for future Portugal fam trips, can subscribe to monthly e-newsletters from the tourist board and outline why they would you like to join a future event in the destination.