Lorraine Connolly from Kanes Travel in Longford was the lucky winner of two flights to Faro by Aer Lingus along with accommodation from 5-star Pestana Hotels and green fees at a Pestana golf course in the Algarve.
A tourism delegation led by Carlos Silva e Sousa, Mayor of Albufeira, together with Luis Pereira, General Manager, Albufeira Promotion Bureau, and Ivo Faria, Portimao Promotion Bureau, came to town last week.
The Mayor had met with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, earlier in the day and expressed his delight at the way he had been received. He also stated that the support of the Irish tourists and in particular the trade continues to be a very positive trend and looks to the future with confidence.
The Irish are statistically the fifth biggest market in the Algarve, and with over 63 flights per week this summer to Faro, already Algarve has seen a 5% increase up to June, with a higher percentage expected for the whole summer, after a very strong August/September.
Some 38 suppliers took part in the workshop and all reported a positive response from the agents. Prizes galore from the hoteliers were drawn out after the excellent dinner.
