The future of the global wine tourism industry, which is expected to reach an impact of 45 billion euros on the global economy within three years, has chosen Portugal to reflect, debate and look to the future.
Wine & Travel Week mobilizes in Portugal some of the most notable cases of international success in a flourishing sector, which is expected to reach 100 million wine tourists by 2025.
First B2B International Wine Tourism Workshop in Porto
A very rich one-week program, including various activities and events in the regions of Portugal, including the First B2B International Wine Tourism Workshop in Porto, on February 21 and 22, at the Alfândega Congress Center, where more than a hundred international buyers – tour operators specializing in wine tourism, consultants and travel agents – will encourage meetings between professionals, and exchanges on projects that show the diversity of the offer from more than ten countries, through Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania.
The initiative will also receive an international delegation of 50 opinion leaders of different nationalities – journalists specializing in wine tourism and influencers of the sector and more generally of Tourism.
From February 23, some of these professionals and opinion leaders will have the opportunity to take part in technical circuits to visit and explore the seven Portuguese tourist regions, including the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira. In all, more than 40 visits are scheduled.
Social and economic and environmental sustainability
Parallel to the trade fair, also at the Alfândega Congress Center, during the afternoons of February 21 and 22, an International Forum will be held dedicated to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the wine tourism industry.
Speakers from Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Argentina and Australia will present case studies and promote the analysis and debate on topics as diverse as sustainability, innovation, the integration of people and commercial and digital communication.
Representatives of the technological giant Google, IPK (renowned consulting agency in the field of tourism), Relais & Châteaux (association of restaurants and 580
hotels in the world, 55 exclusively dedicated to wine tourism), Basque Culinary Center (of the most renowned world cuisine, in San Sebastian), Susana Balbo (the biggest name in Argentine wines which is developing a remarkable wine tourism project), La Cité du Wine (museum and cultural leisure space of nearly 14,000 m2 dedicated to France’s wine heritage, in Bordeaux), Monocle (British reference publication devoted to trends, lifestyles and artistic expressions), among others.
Many memorable experiences in one week
Wine & Travel Week wants to affirm Portugal as the epicenter of business, debate and thought for the global wine tourism industry, so the Professional Fair and Forum will be complemented by a remarkable set of experiences. In addition to those cited above, there will be others that promise to surprise.
Haute cuisine, performing arts, music and design
On February 20, a welcome experience for Wine & Travel Week participants and guests will recreate a unique atmosphere, inspired by Portugal’s biodiversity and seasoned with different artistic expressions: haute cuisine, performing arts, music and design. The menu will be interpreted by renowned chefs Arnaldo Azevedo (*Michelin, Vila Foz, Porto), Francisco Gomes (master pastry chef) and Rui Paula (**Michelin, Paço da Boa Nova, Leça da Palmeira) and wine service will be provided by award-winning sommeliers António José Lopes and Marc Pinto.
The next day, Great Wine Capitals (GWC), capital network of the world’s great vineyards, is organizing the awards dinner for the latest edition of the “Best of Wine Tourism” at the Tram Museum.
On February 23, at the Ferreira Cellars, in Vila Nova de Gaia, there will be a party with a selection of wines from all over the world
A word from Nuno Guedes Vaz Pires, founder of Essence.
“We want to establish Wine & Travel Week as the benchmark annual event in the wine tourism sector. In view of the optimistic global growth prospects for this industry, wine tourism deserves to be properly structured, communicated and positioned, in order to prove to be an added value for all those who invest in it with dedication, conviction and professionalism”, underlines Nuno Guedes Vaz Pires, founder of Essence.
Luís Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, points out that “wine tourism, as a tourist product
It qualifies the destination and is found throughout the national territory, including the islands. It allows you to enjoy experiences throughout the year, going against seasonality, above all, since it is a sector that attracts distant and highly qualified market segments to Portugal, which remain much more long, which allows it to grow in value. Note that this week of wine tourism will culminate with the 19th edition of the event Essencia do Vinho – Porto, at the Palácio da Bolsa, “Portugal’s main wine experience”, from February 23 to 26.
