ACTA Destination Conference Wrap-Up: Advisors Say ‘More Azores, Por Favor’

The Azores are easy to get to, but hard to leave.

The ACTA International Destination Conference introduced Canadian advisors to the Azores. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

One hundred and fifty Canadian travel professionals discovered that over the past week, during the ACTA International Destination Conference, co-sponsored by Visit Portugal, Visit Azores and SATA Azores Airlines.

A collection of nine islands that rose in volcanic rage from the mid-Atlantic 36 million years ago, the Azores are believed to have been uninhabited until at least 700 AD, when some theorize Vikings settled, if briefly. More centuries passed until the 1400s, when the first Portuguese explorers landed and eventually built fortifications and villages.

Dramatic landscapes and vistas are around every tight corner in the Azores. The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, crashing waves, soaring cliffs, patchwork day-glo green pastures and endless stone fences and hydrangea hedgerows. The beauty is such that some of the photo opportunities already look Photoshopped.

The islands of the Azores are blessed with natural beauty. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

Total population of the Azores is around 250,000, with 80% concentrated on the two islands we visited. There are an equal number of dairy and beef cattle, known as ‘happy cows’ due to the full-time outdoor lifestyle made possible by a climate that rarely sees temperatures dip below 10C or above 27C. As well as milk and beef, the products of the cows include butter that rivals Ireland’s golden delight, and some of Europe’s most celebrated cheeses.

Over a week split between Sao Miguel, the largest and most populous island (135,000), and Terceira, the third-largest and second-most populous (55,000), the group of Canadian travel advisors was wrapped in the warm embrace of Portuguese hospitality.

It was the second half of November, and temperatures topped out around 22C, with just a few degrees of differentiation between night and day. We were lucky to enjoy a significant amount of sunshine, interspersed with typical Atlantic weather manifestations like fog, wind, mist, sun showers and rainbows.

Spirits were high on the ACTA International Desination Conference in Portugal’s Azores. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

It was a first-time visit for nearly the entire group. That’s a very rare thing among this well-travelled crew, and the fact that so many had fresh eyes ramped up the excitement level. Mealtimes were a cacophony, dance floors were full, and the islands and their welcoming people inspired camaraderie and positivity among the group.

Frances Gertsch, an advisor with Prince Edward Island’s Stewart Travel Group, described the Azores as “a place that’s ready for tourism.”

“The destination has great opportunities for both active and cultural discovery pursuits. The welcome is warm and friendly and the landscapes are beyond beautiful. There’s also a crazy amount of interesting history.”

If this is lunch, I’m going to need a nap. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

Gertsch says she loved the “European flair and flavours,” and said the accommodations were “much more luxurious than expected.” With Portugal a very popular destination for Canadians, she adds “I would be silly not to offer the Azores as an extension to a mainland Portugal trip.”

That’s something easily done, as both SATA Azores Airlines and TAP Air Portugal allow free stopovers in the Azores for Canadians travelling to Lisbon or other Portuguese destinations.

Air Canada regional manager Grant Lawlor was on the trip, despite the fact that AC doesn’t fly directly to the Azores. But there were other good reasons for his presence.

Ines Almeida Garrett, Director Canada for the Portugal Tourism Office and ACTA’s Marco Pozzobon. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

“We have an important and growing partnership with ACTA, and we offered discounts on regional connectors to help advisors get to the conference affordably.” Lawlor also notes that Air Canada Vacations sells packages that include time in Sao Miguel.

“Portugal is a very important destination for Air Canada in 2025,” Lawlor adds. “With new flights from Montreal to Porto next year, more Canadians will get to see this undiscovered gem.”

Bruce Parkinson on the rocky shores of Terceira at the ACTA International Destination Conference. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

The Travel Agent Next Door’s Louise Gardiner says the Azores offer many things that appeal strongly to Canadian travellers – safety, excellent English-language skills, stunning landscapes, outdoor activities on land and water, and affordable pricing.

“The flight time from Toronto to the Azores is about the same as Mexico, and I would absolutely recommend a free stopover of at least three nights on the way to or from mainland Portugal,” Gardiner added. She also praised the organization of the trip by ACTA and its destination partners. “I don’t know how anyone could have done it better.”

Elena Cortesi, travel advisor at Wired For Travel, was an enthusiastic trip participant. Her takeaway: “The beauty, the nature, the clean air….the beautiful settings. You have to feel it to truly understand it.”

Just about anything grows in the Azores, and there are many public and private botanical gardens that can be visited. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

Kathy Deagle, a Halifax-based advisor at Go With Hippo Travel, summed up the trip this way: “Words are not enough! I had such an amazing adventure on this trip, seeing stunning vistas, crawling through a volcanic tunnel, eating so much delicious food, wonderful, friendly people and adventures on the water watching sperm whales and playful dolphins following our boat with amazing speed and grace.”

Aaron Dean Baynton, former BDM for Collette and now a travel advisor at Wired For Travel, did a great job in a Facebook post of expressing gratitude not just for a hugely successful trip, but for the industry we call home.

“How fortunate I am to be in a field I love, surrounded by amazing people with one simple goal, to open the world for those that want to see it. Where education is done in a hands-on setting, experiencing the grandeur and beauty of this amazing blue marble we call home.”

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