ACTA heads to the Azores for International Destination Conference

ACTA is teaming up with Visit Azores to host its first ever international destination conference in the Azores from Nov. 18 to Nov. 25, 2024.

The ACTA International Destination Conference will take place on two of the Azores islands — São Miguel and Terceira.

Throughout the 8-day itinerary advisors will immerse themselves in the culture and authenticity of the Azores, connect with local providers, improve product knowledge, while further developing social media business-building skills.

Wendy Paradis, ACTA president, said: “Azores is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness, a unique destination that is becoming more popular for Canadian travellers interested in authentic and quality travel experiences.”

Paradis continued: “It will be the perfect backdrop for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among travel advisors across Canada in an international destination.”

Luis Capdeville, CEO at Visit Azores, said “It is with great pleasure that we host an event from an organization of the importance of ACTA. We expect this event to be a catalyst in the notoriety and promotion of the Azores Islands in the Canadian market, which has direct connections throughout the year and which has been establishing itself in the top 5 markets sending tourists to the Azores Islands.”

Paradis added: “ACTA is thrilled to be working with Visit Azores, Visit Portugal and SATA Azores Airlines to bring this exciting opportunity to our Member Travel Advisors. Providing high-quality, experiential learning and professional development opportunities for Canadian travel advisors is a key pillar for ACTA.”

Travel advisors are invited to register their interest online before midnight PST, Friday, May 3, 2024.

Azores Airlines is the only carrier offering non-stop service from Canada to the Azores. Flights from Toronto to Ponta Delgada operate year-round. Summer 2024 will see daily service from Toronto to Ponta Delgada and twice weekly to Terceira.

From Montreal, seasonal weekly non-stop flights to Ponta Delgada begin in April and increase to 4 times weekly from June until September.

And stopovers in the Azores are free for up to seven days in either direction, so travellers can visit multiple destinations without backtracking. Once in the Azores, travellers can connect within the 9 Azorean Islands as well as to Porto, Lisbon, Funchal, Faro (summer 2024) or beyond.

Those selected to join ACTA in the Azores will be invited to share their full details while also providing a nominal, non-refundable deposit of C$250 on/after Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

The cost to attend the International Conference is $999 (based on single-occupancy) – which includes air from Toronto, single occupancy accommodations and a custom itinerary.

Once again, advisors must register their interest online before midnight PST, Friday, May 3, 2024.

Only ACTA Member Travel Advisors will be considered. The ACTA International Destination Conference is only open to Travel Advisors, no companions.