In April next year the Algarve Tourist Board is to host and promote an "Algarve Nature Week" which aims to be a showcase for the nature tourism sector and the start of an anual promotional push.
The vice president of the regional board, João Fernandes, said that management were planning a week in which nature tourism businesses can promote themselves to regional, national and international markets.
The nature tourism industry in the Algarve is being encouraged to offer deals and discounts on non-'sand and sun' activities to show a wider market what is available in the region. Boating, diving, dolphin watching, bird watching and cycling are some of the areas where offers will be available in the first period of promotional activity between 11 and 19 April.
In the last three days of the event, companies will participate in an open air event at the new Riverside Park in Faro where the organisors want to create an environment that encourages contact between companies in the industry and tour operators.
"Algarve Nature Week" has the support of the national tourist board as well as the regional one and will promote the event abroad to bring specialist tour operators to the region to see what the Algarve has to offer.
This nature tourism event will be launched at the Biennial of Nature Tourism which will take place in Lagos between 26 and 28 September 2014.
Studies commissioned by the Algarve Tourism Board into the nature tourism sector shows that there is a growth in local companies responding to the needs of those tourists that do not want the traditional 'sun and sand' type of holiday.
There are various ‘weeks’ that have done well in highlighting different sectors, including Algarve Spa Week, Algarve Chefs Week and Algarve Surf Week. The new Algarve Nature Week may become an annual event if it proves to be successful.
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