The Spanish region of Andalucía has hosted 17 UK & Irish travel representatives from key agencies and tour operators on a four-day destination showcase and FAM trip (25-29 April) in collaboration with Turespaña and the tourism institutions of Malaga, Costa del Sol and Cádiz, ahead of the 2022 summer season.
The showcase featured a dedicated networking event with local suppliers and a FAM Trip showcasing key tourism segments such as culture, city breaks, gastronomy and wine, sun and beach, nautical and equestrian tourism, among others.
Antonio Martín-Machuca, Head of Marketing and Air Connectivity, says:
“Trips such as these are the ideal way to promote Andalucía and educate agents on the region’s diverse produce offering. Meeting our local travel providers face to face is the best way to generate business opportunities and provide a greater understanding of our tourism product. Both the UK and Ireland are key markets for Andalucía and this trip marked an important milestone for our tourism recovery. Our objective is to continue to build close working relationships with the UK and Irish travel trade and to continue to understand and respond to their evolving needs and challenges”
Highlights of the trip were discovering Malaga city and Marbella Old Town, Sherry tastings in the wine-growing region of Jerez, a Flamenco performance and equestrian display of the renowned Andalusian horse, together with site inspections in flagship four- and five-star hotels.
Sandra Lambert from Explorer Travel Holidays – now part of Hays Travel Ltd said:
“Malaga is a great city break destination, one that I wouldn’t have recommended before this trip, but I have seen that there is so much to see and do there. When I get home, I am going to put a package together which includes Malaga, Marbella and Jerez combined with Tangier and all the experiences we’ve done”.
Sabina Clay from Not Just Travel said:
The trip has been outstanding and has completely transformed the way I think about the Costa del Sol. Having seen the coast and spent time in Marbella and Malaga, I discovered beautiful cities that were incredibly clean. The trip really has completely surpassed my expectations.”
Ian Robinson from Exclusive Travel Holidays concluded “you have to come to Andalucia and experience it for yourself. That’s what I will tell my clients”.
For more information about Andalucía, please visit: www.andalucia.org
