Earlier this month, ACTA collaborated with Visit Portugal, Visit Alentejo, and Air Canada to organize an Immersive Destination Experience. Twenty-five travel advisors had the opportunity to explore the region during this initiative.
"ACTA's Immersive Destination Experiences are aimed at revolutionizing the travel industry's approach to experiential learning and social media marketing," said Wendy Paradis, ACTA's president, in a statement. "By collaborating with our destination partners and suppliers, ACTA intends to elevate and enrich the traditional fam experience."
Taking place in Alentejo, Portugal, from 13NOV - 19NOV, the event provided ACTA member advisors with insight into the appeal of Alentejo.
Throughout their stay in Portugal, travel advisors enjoyed unique accommodations, encompassing pousadas, historic castles, convents, and monasteries.
ACTA said, "Throughout each day, advisors were introduced to Portugal's unique tourism gems, including many Unesco world heritage sites. By the end of the experience, advisors were equipped with an immersive understanding of the destination, leaving them with the confidence and connections to offer extraordinary travel experiences from this part of the world to their clients."
Social Media Coaching
A distinctive feature of this event was the inclusion of a social media coach. This coach was committed to introducing daily challenges and sharing the most recent tips and tricks, guiding participants on how to effectively utilize the charm of Alentejo as a scenic backdrop for digital storytelling.
The social media coaching empowered advisors to leverage the potential of social media in promoting the region.
"By intertwining destination education with contemporary social media strategies, we've pioneered a new standard in travel advisor education," said Paradis. "Our partnerships with Visit Portugal, Visit Alentejo, and Air Canada has not only enriched the knowledge base of our members who attended but also empowered them to craft compelling narratives that resonate with today's travelers."
Ines Almeida Garret, Director for Visit Portugal in Canada, had the following comment: “It was a privilege to be able to travel with the ACTA group to Portugal and be able to show them the meaning of a word often used to describe Alentejo: ‘vagar’. This means being able to slowly enjoy every minute of the day, no rush, just relax and have time to appreciate the good things in life, including wine and food, of course! “
“Being given the opportunity to visit Portugal, and especially to be able to experience the beautiful Alentejo Region in a more immersive way, gave me immense insight into what experiences and locations would best suit my clients who have Portugal on their "next to see" list,” said Judith Coates of Wired for Travel.
She added: “ACTA is vastly increasing its membership value by adding these Immersive Destination Experiences to the calendar, and travel advisors who are not yet ACTA members should seriously consider the benefits of ACTA membership.”
More information on ACTA's website.
