The study compared 47 cities using five equally weighted factors linked to feeling good while away: annual sunshine, conditions conducive to quality sleep, the proportion of restaurants classified as healthy, green space per resident, and walkability between major attractions. The methodology was developed with guidance from Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, according to the index.

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Lisbon’s strength lies in its balance. It records 2,828 hours of sunshine a year, offers 49 square metres of green space per resident, and is compact enough for visitors to explore on foot, even if its steep streets demand sensible shoes. Nearly one in ten restaurants in the city is categorised as healthy—the second-highest share in the survey—while fresh seafood, neighbourhood tascas, and varied international options help make eating well relatively accessible.

Its urban appeal also benefits from its proximity to the coast. Cascais and Costa da Caparica can be reached by public transport in under an hour, allowing a city break to combine hillside viewpoints, parks, and waterfront time. Lisbon tourism officials said the result supported a strategy centred on distinctive experiences while protecting the qualities valued by residents as well as visitors.

Second-placed Helsinki stood out for calm surroundings, efficient transport, and proximity to nature. The Finnish capital leads the index for low noise and light pollution and provides around 126 square metres of green space per person. Orlando, in third place, pairs its theme-park energy with 2,930 annual sunshine hours, more than 148 parks, gardens and recreation areas, and extensive lakes and wetlands.

European cities dominated the remainder of the top ten. Athens placed fourth, followed by Edinburgh, Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, Oslo, and Vilnius. Surprisingly, for a city once notorious for traffic problems, Athens received the highest walkability score, while Edinburgh’s mix of parks, pedestrian-friendly sightseeing and healthy dining helped offset its comparatively limited sunshine.

The findings point to a broader shift in how destinations are marketed. Rather than treating wellbeing as a specialist retreat product, the index frames everyday features—daylight, movement, restorative sleep, nutritious food, and access to nature—as part of a mainstream city break. BookRetreats co-founder Sean Kelly said travellers are increasingly choosing places according to how they aspire to feel when they arrive.

As with any composite ranking, the result is a guide rather than a guarantee: personal preferences, season, budget, and the character of an individual trip will shape the experience. Still, Lisbon’s first-place finish underlines a persuasive proposition for international visitors—a European capital where culture, coastline, and daily outdoor life are intricately connected.

L’article Lisbon named world’s happiest holiday destination in new global index est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Set to hit Faro, Lisbon, and Porto airports from 2 to 6 October and 19 to 23 December, the withdrawal of labour could affect thousands of flyers, with at least 500 scheduled flights expected to be grounded during the first walkout, and even more during the second wave, due to increased Christmas traffic volume.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) claims easyJet pays Portuguese crew “wages below those paid by other airlines operating in Portugal and below those paid by easyJet itself in other countries in the network” and called for salaries to be in line with the cost of living and the national minimum wage.

Other complaints include planning issues, roster instability, staff shortages, overtime pressure, and unequal treatment of stewards and pilots. Union members also allege easyJet has broken the terms of the collective labour agreement. The strike vote meeting was attended by 188 members and the decision to go ahead with the walkout was unanimous, SNPVAC said.

In a statement, SNPVAC called the deadlock over its grievances “long and intolerable” and said it believed easyJet was entrenched in its approach with an “ultimate aim” to “prolong indefinitely the position it has adopted.”

The union also accused the airline of undermining its members’ right to withhold their labour by replacing striking staff with managers and other colleagues from other countries.

For passengers, the strikes are likely to cause disruption at busy and inconvenient times, falling over the long weekend of Portugal’s Republic Day public holiday on 5 October, and impacting schedule the week before Christmas, a time when journeys to see family and friends, leisure and ski flights, and other seasonal trips should be taking place.

EasyJet says the sustainability of its Portuguese operations is at stake and has declared itself “extremely disappointed” in the strike over what it called “unworkable” demands, an outcome that mediation authority DGERT had been unable to prevent. The carrier insists its crew are paid more than minimum wage.

During the strike periods, a minimum-service operation may be dictated by authorities, and the airline has promised to make all attempts to minimise ​disruption to the travelling public.

L’article Portugal faces easyJet cabin crew strikes during October and December holidays est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The deal, which could be finalised within weeks, will see up to 49.9% of TAP’s shares sold, with 5% reserved for its employees.

On Friday, António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency, announced that the government would open talks with the two groups competing for a stake in the airline after reviewing the binding offers submitted at the end of July.

A PARPÚBLICA, SGPS, S.A. confirmou hoje que recebeu duas propostas vinculativas, no âmbito da terceira etapa do processo de venda de referência de 44,9% do capital social da TAP, SA, apresentadas pela Air France-KLM S.A. e Deutsche Lufthansa Aktiengesellschaft.#MIH⁰#TAP pic.twitter.com/VRg4nYDE71

— Infraestruturas e Habitação PT (@iestruturas_pt) July 29, 2026

Leitão Amaro said that although the bids were different, their “overall valuation” was pretty close, which, according to him, “justified additional negotiation efforts” with both companies, giving the “bidders an opportunity to improve their offers.

“That is why we decided to launch as final round of negotiations lasting a few weeks,”, he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

The enthusiasm appears to be shared by both rivals.

Air France-KLM has confirmed its “unaltered interest” in TAP. ‘We look forward to the next phase of the process’, the company wrote in a statement. Its bid includes a strategic plan covering all areas of TAP’s business, including passenger transport, cargo, and maintenance. It is reportedly supported by its transatlantic joint-venture partner, Delta Air Lines.

No Conselho de Ministros de hoje, aprovámos:

Fase final de negociação da reprivatização da TAP;

Estratégia TERRA+ para mais reciclagem e menos aterros;

Apoio extraordinário até 12 M€ para produtores do Douro e fundo permanente para o setor. pic.twitter.com/Rkco84MZIR

— António Leitão Amaro (@Leitao_Amaro) September 4, 2026

For its part, Lufthansa said it was “looking forward to continuing the process constructively in the coming weeks” and reiterated its interest in developing a long-term partnership with TAP Air Portugal.

Both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa submitted their bids to acquire 44.9% of TAP Air Portugal by the 29 July deadline. These were then assessed in depth by Parpública, the state holding company, which submitted its report to the Portuguese government on 1 September.

A third group, International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways and Iberia, had initially been interested in the airline, but withdrew in April, stating that acquiring a minority stake did not align with its acquisition strategy.

The partial sale of the Portuguese flag carrier was relaunched in 2025 by Luís Montenegro’s government in an attempt to increase TAP’s international reach, capacity, and competitiveness while maintaining state ownership of the majority stake.

TAP posted losses of €99 million in the first half of 2026, largely due to higher jet fuel prices. The airline had already received billions of euros in state aid during the pandemic.

The national carrier’s most valuable assets are its extensive routes to Brazil and Portuguese-speaking African countries, including Luanda, a major business destination, as well as to the United States. These routes are particularly important for diaspora communities, tourism, and investment.

The Portuguese government is demanding that potential investors support growth across Portugal’s airport networks and strengthen operations and connectivity not only in Lisbon but also in Porto, Faro, the Azores and Madeira.

Leitão Amaro insisted that “the price is an important aspect, but it is not the only one”.

The winning bidder could begin jointly managing the airline with the current board as early as 2026. However, the actual capital injection is not expected until the summer of 2027.

While the Portuguese government would retain its majority holding, it also reserves the right to resell the remaining 50.1% to a strategic investor at a later stage, if deemed appropriate.

L’article Portugal opens final TAP privatisation talks with Air France-KLM and Lufthansa est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Lisbon Metropolitan Command issued a statement on 26 August 2026, detailing inspections of approximately 100 vehicles. Over a third of them (34) were found to have incorrectly installed or miscalibrated taximeters, the force said, while 18 vehicles were being driven without the correct certification, insurance or other documents.

Several of the violations concerned safety. Six taxis failed to comply with fire extinguisher regulations, two were deemed unroadworthy, one failed a seatbelt inspection, and one driver was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

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The crackdown comes amid viral social media complaints about taxi services around the capital’s air hub, with influencers criticising dubious practices and describing the airport as a “trap for tourists.” Alleged scams include negotiating fares in bad faith and failing to switch on taximeters, leading to tourists being overcharged for their journeys, with little recourse.

It should be noted that the inspections are not a representative sample of taxi services and cannot be read as indicating the overall percentage or “rate” of unprofessional activity. Moreover, organisations representing the taxi sector have strongly defended their members. Ahead of the release of the police data, the National Association of Light Vehicle Road Transport (ANTRAL) said the police action, which included roadblocks and stops of vehicles that were already carrying passengers, made Portugal appear a “highly degrading and frightening” destination.

The trade body said it recognised the authority of the police but did not support the way in which the vehicle inspections were conducted, suggesting that officers had orchestrated the campaign to be as high-profile as possible in order to counter the social media narrative.

 “ANTRAL has no objection to enforcement actions being carried out,” a statement read. “However, when carried out in this manner, with passengers already inside the vehicles and at this specific location, creating a media ‘spectacle’ that only serves to disrupt the lives of users and damage the image of the country and the sector, such actions naturally deserve to be condemned.”

The best advice to passengers worried about being conned when they hail a ride at any airport, is to use official taxi ranks outside arrivals, be vigilant about the meter, check the car and driver certification, and signal that they require a receipt at the start of the trip. Pre-booked transfers, public transport, and ride-hailing apps are other ways to avoid nasty surprises.

L’article Tourist scam complaints trigger major taxi crackdown at Lisbon Airport est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Located in central Portugal, in the parish of Luso, about 80 minutes south of Porto, Bussaco’s 105-hectare forest, enclosed by a five-kilometre wall, meets the numerous criteria required by the German-based Healing Forest – International Certification Office.

It is the first forest in southern Europe and on the Iberian Peninsula to receive this accolade. The other three certified forests are located in Austria and Germany.

This certification system is linked to the International Society of Forest Therapy (ISFT), which was formed in Austria in 2018 and established international quality standards for healing forests and forest therapy.

“This certification, which places us among the four therapeutic forests worldwide and as the first on the Iberian Peninsula, gives us global status and brings with it great responsibility,” said the president of the Mata do Bussaco Foundation, Gonçalo Breda Marques, quoted by the Lusa news agency.

To qualify, a forest must be designed for therapeutic use and have qualified personnel, and its health benefits must be supported by medical evidence. In practical terms, the forest needs natural protection from noise and wind, as well as trails catering for different levels of mobility and difficulty. There should also be designated spaces for therapy, relaxation and exercise. Strict standards apply regarding safety and accessibility.

Forest environments have long been associated with a range of health benefits, including improved cognitive abilities, reduced stress, anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system and better sleep quality. The best-known form of this practice originated in Japan, where “shinrin-yoku”, or forest bathing, was introduced in 1982 as part of a national programme encouraging people to spend time in forests to improve their well-being.

@_patricia.ribeiro_ Welcome to… Buçaco This is definitely one of the most magical places in Portugal, with its lush forest, hidden paths and a fairytale palace The Buçaco forest is home to more than 700 native and exotic species from all over the world, making it one of the richest forests in Europe At its heart stands the stunning Bussaco Palace (historically written with two “s” instead of the “ç”), originally built in the 19th century as a royal hunting lodge and now one of Portugal’s most iconic hotels The Neo-Manueline architecture of the palace echoes other famous Portuguese monuments like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower Long before the palace was built, the forest was protected by Carmelite monks, who lived here in silence for centuries and planted many of the trees that still stand today. Whether you’re wandering the forest trails or admiring the palace’s intricate details, Buçaco has a peaceful and magical atmosphere that still feels like a hidden gem. Tips for visiting: you’ll need about 2 hours to explore the forest bring comfortable shoes as trails are uneven don’t miss Cruz Alta, Fonte Fria and the Valley of the Ferns even if you’re not staying there, you can go inside the palace hotel to have a coffee after 3.30pm visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the most magical light and fewer people you can enter by car and park inside, and it costs 7€ for the whole day it’s located about 2h15 from Lisbon, and if you’re coming for a weekend trip, you can combine it with Aveiro and/or Coimbra Save for a future trip to Portugal #buçaco #bussacopalace #portugalhiddengems #portugaldenorteasul #portugal_gems ♬ Fairytale (From "Shrek") – Geek Music

However, a certified therapeutic forest goes a step further. Rather than simply offering visitors the benefits of spending time among trees, they are specifically designed to allow trained therapists to conduct structured healing and rehabilitation programmes.

These programmes can complement treatment for various conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopaedic, psychosomatic and neurological illnesses.

Qualified forest therapists are available to guide guests through the wonders of the forest, which is home to more than 250 species of trees and shrubs, and is considered “one of Europe’s finest dendrological collections”, according to the Mata do Bussaco Foundation’s website.

The forest’s history is as unusual as its vegetation. Human management of the forest can be traced back to the 6th century, when monks from the nearby Monastery of Vacariça began tending the land. In 1628, the Discalced Carmelites took it over, establishing a secluded monastic retreat. Protected by papal decree, the forest became home to exotic species that were brought to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, when the country was one of the world’s great maritime powers.

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One of these species was the Bussaco cedar, a cypress species imported from Mexico which gave the forest its name.

“It is one of the National Forests richest in natural, architectural and cultural heritage and can be divided into four landscape units: Arboretum, Gardens and Fern Valley, Relic Forest and Pinhal do Marquês,” the Foundation explains.

The forest underwent significant changes in the 19^th century, with the addition of lakes, gardens, and ornamental areas. By the end of the century, construction of the palace had begun. Conceived as a hunting lodge for King Carlos I, it was later converted into the luxury Palace Hotel do Bussaco that stands today.

After several years of preparation, Bussaco certification was awarded on 17 July and is valid until 2031, when the forest will have to undergo a new assessment.

However, the Foundation already has its sights set on another international accolade. Bussaco has been on Portugal’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status since 2017 under the title “Desert of the Discalced Carmelites and Built Ensemble of the Palace-Hotel in Bussaco”.

L’article Portugal’s 400-year-old Bussaco becomes southern Europe’s first certified healing forest est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Nobu development will “form the centrepiece of a broader investment programme led by Norfin,” a press release said, “spanning hospitality, residential living, leisure amenities and future additions, including a beach club” set across more than 400 hectares of countryside, centred on an existing Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Accommodation will comprise 100 rooms and suites, and 21,000m² of Nobu villas and branded residences, alongside an on-site Nobu restaurant and thoughtfully curated guest amenities. Tapping into the strength of the premium travel market, the resort promises “luxury hospitality, genre-defining cuisine, timeless design, and intuitive service,” press materials say.

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Two decades after its launch in 2007, Monte Rei Golf and Country Club will see ground break on its next phase of development, and is slated for completion in 2029. In line with the way many highly touristed areas are trying to spread tourist arrivals and stays across the calendar year, Nobu says the work will make Monte Rei a “more complete year-round destination for residents, members and guests.”

Hailing the project as “an important milestone for Monte Rei,” Miguel Mateus, CEO of investors Norfin said: “The resort has long been recognised for the quality of its golf, service and residential environment. We are now building on that legacy with a broader ambition for the destination – one that brings together world-class hospitality, exceptional residential living and carefully designed leisure experiences.”

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Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality, meanwhile, pointed to the relevance of the project to today’s travel consumer, who increasingly demands authenticity and individuality. “Together with Norfin, we have the opportunity to create a distinctive Nobu destination that feels deeply connected to the Eastern Algarve while delivering the hospitality, dining, design and service for which the brand is known around the world.”

The expansion of the golf course and country club comes at a time when, in southern Europe in particular, such facilities have come in for criticism as concerns multiply about sustainable water use. It’s an issue that is becoming existential amid predicted long-term droughts and surging wildfire risks.

L’article Robert De Niro’s Nobu to launch luxury hotel and residences in Portugal’s Algarve est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The latest technical report from ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal estimates that the Luís de Camões Airport will require investment of between €7.9 billion and €8.9 billion, at 2024 prices. The range updates an earlier preliminary estimate of around €8.5 billion presented in 2025. 

Under ANA’s baseline timetable, agreements for the new airport are expected to be signed in April 2029, with construction beginning around mid-2030 and concluding towards the end of 2036. Operations would then start in 2037, meaning travellers could still be waiting another 11 years before using the new gateway.

The Portuguese government, however, wants to accelerate the project. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Miguel Pinto Luz has indicated an ambition to bring the opening forward to 2035, with an accelerated construction schedule potentially running from 2029 to 2034.

The project will be built at Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, on the south bank of the Tagus, more than 50 kilometres from central Lisbon, and is intended eventually to replace the existing Humberto Delgado Airport.

Costs could rise further

ANA, which is owned by French infrastructure group Vinci, has warned that the final bill could rise beyond the current estimates as geopolitical uncertainty, pressure on global supply chains and market volatility push construction costs higher.

At its initial stage, Luís de Camões Airport is expected to handle around 56 million passengers annually, with capacity eventually increasing to 85 million. Plans include two runways, 120 aircraft parking positions, 64 boarding gates and 76 passenger boarding bridges.

Ground transport will be a crucial part of the project due to the airport’s distance from Lisbon.

Plans include a high-speed rail connection with a journey time of approximately 26 minutes and services every two hours. A conventional rail connection from Entrecampos is expected to run every 15 minutes, with a journey time of around 45 minutes.

Infraestruturas de Portugal has also proposed a direct shuttle between Lisbon’s Oriente station and the airport, with an estimated journey time of 20 minutes and departures every 30 minutes. ANA has called for a higher frequency and stressed the importance of ensuring high-quality and affordable public transport to the new airport.

Road access is also planned, including a new 17-kilometre connection to the A33 motorway and links to several national and municipal roads.

Existing airports face growing demand

The long wait for Luís de Camões Airport means Portugal is simultaneously investing in its existing aviation infrastructure.

More than €400 million is already being invested across the national airport network, according to the government’s recently presented airport strategy. The programme is intended to increase capacity, improve passenger experience and prepare the country’s infrastructure for further growth in tourism, the economy and mobility. 

The pressure comes as Portugal continues to attract growing numbers of visitors. In 2025, tourist accommodation establishments recorded 32.5 million guests and 82.1 million overnight stays, increases of 3% and 2.2% respectively. International visitors accounted for 57 million overnight stays. 

Growth has continued into 2026. Between January and May, Portugal welcomed around 12 million guests, generating 28.7 million overnight stays. In May alone, the country recorded 3.3 million guests, up 3.9% year-on-year, and eight million overnight stays, up 2.8%. 

The government’s immediate response is therefore to expand and modernise airports serving the country’s main tourism destinations while the new Lisbon hub is developed.

Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, which currently handles around 17 million passengers per year, is undergoing runway renovation, terminal modernisation and expansion, as well as the construction of a new Airport Operations Control Centre. The longer-term ambition is to prepare Porto to accommodate as many as 30 million passengers annually.

Faro Airport, the principal gateway to the Algarve, handled around 10 million passengers in 2025. Work includes modernisation and expansion of airport infrastructure, operational areas and the terminal, with the aim of providing additional capacity as tourism demand grows.

The same approach is being taken on Portugal’s islands. Madeira Airport handled more than five million passengers in 2025, almost double the approximately 2.6 million recorded a decade earlier. Its terminal and passenger facilities are now being renovated and modernised.

In the Azores, João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada handled close to three million passengers in 2025, compared with around one million in 2015. Its terminal is being renovated and modernised as part of efforts to improve capacity and connectivity for the archipelago.

Pinto Luz has presented the investments as part of a wider airport masterplan designed to bridge the period before Luís de Camões Airport becomes operational and ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with Portugal’s tourism and economic growth. The government says more than €400 million is already being deployed across airports including Porto, Faro, Lisbon and the Azores. 

With the new Lisbon airport still potentially more than a decade away, those upgrades will play an increasingly important role in accommodating passenger growth and maintaining Portugal’s connectivity in the years leading up to the opening of Luís de Camões Airport.

L’article New Lisbon airport faces 11-year wait as costs reach up to €8.9 billion est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, highlighted the transformation of the Azores’ main airport this week as part of the government’s national airport masterplan. According to figures shared by the minister, João Paulo II Airport handled around 3 million passengers in 2025, compared with approximately 1 million a decade earlier, reflecting the rapid growth of air travel and tourism in the archipelago. 

Located on São Miguel, Ponta Delgada is the main aviation gateway to the Azores, providing connections with mainland Portugal as well as destinations elsewhere in Europe and North America.

The airport’s expansion has evolved considerably since an earlier plan envisaged adding around 4,000 square metres, equivalent to approximately 30% of the terminal’s then-existing area. ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal subsequently unveiled a more ambitious redevelopment in November 2025, under which the terminal is expected to almost double in size by 2030, gaining around 15,000 square metres. 

The project will increase check-in capacity to more than twice its current level and enlarge boarding gate areas, security checkpoints and border control facilities. The objective is to improve the passenger experience and operational efficiency while giving the airport greater capacity to accommodate continued growth. 

For the Portuguese government, the investment also has a wider strategic importance, strengthening the connectivity of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and supporting an economy in which tourism has become increasingly important.

More than €400 million for Portugal’s airport network

The work in Ponta Delgada forms part of a national programme involving more than €400 million of investment in Portugal’s existing airport network, according to Pinto Luz. Rather than being allocated solely to the Azores, the funding covers infrastructure improvements across the country. 

The programme is intended to address more immediate capacity and passenger needs while Portugal prepares for a much larger transformation of its aviation infrastructure: the construction of Lisbon’s new Luís de Camões Airport.

ANA presented its latest technical plan for the new airport last week. Located at the Alcochete Firing Range, across the Tagus from Lisbon, the project is currently estimated to cost between €7.9 billion and €8.9 billion at 2024 prices. 

The airport is designed to open with two runways and a terminal of approximately 500,000 square metres, featuring 64 boarding gates and 72 air bridges. Initial capacity is projected at 56 million passengers per year, with the possibility of expanding to 85 million in the longer term. 

The latest timetable foresees construction starting in 2029 and being completed in 2033, followed by testing and certification. ANA says the airport could consequently become operational from 2035, although the schedule remains dependent on the various approval, environmental and construction stages. 

The project is also expected to be integrated into Portugal’s wider transport network. Plans include a high-speed rail connection that could reduce the journey between the airport and central Lisbon to around 20 minutes, using the planned Third Tagus Crossing. 

Until the new airport becomes operational, investment will continue at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport as well as at other airports across the country, including Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores. 

Taken together, the projects reflect the pressure that sustained growth in travel and tourism is placing on Portugal’s aviation infrastructure. In Ponta Delgada, where passenger volumes have roughly tripled over the past decade according to the government, that transformation is already underway.

L’article Azores’ main airport to expand terminal amid growing tourism demand  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Launched by the Madeira Promotion Bureau, the initiative is part of the destination’s wider “Madeira. É tudo o que apetece.” campaign.

The campaign aims to showcase the diversity of Madeira and Porto Santo’s cultural programme and encourage travel throughout the year by highlighting events taking place across different seasons.

Whether visitors are looking to relax, experience new adventures, celebrate traditions, discover local culture or attend major events, the campaign presents Madeira as a destination capable of responding to different travel motivations.

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Events as a window into Madeiran culture

Rather than promoting events simply as individual attractions, the campaign uses them to showcase different aspects of Madeiran identity.

Popular traditions, cultural heritage, gastronomy and nature feature alongside the major celebrations that punctuate the islands’ annual calendar. According to the Madeira Promotion Bureau, events represent an authentic expression of local culture and one of the destination’s main differentiating factors.

The initiative is intended to increase awareness of Madeira’s events among its priority tourism markets while strengthening the region’s positioning as a dynamic cultural and experiential destination.

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It also seeks to translate that awareness into visits throughout the year by promoting the archipelago’s main annual events as reasons to travel at different times.

“The diversity and quality of the events programme in Madeira and Porto Santo are among the destination’s main assets and reflect the authenticity of its cultural identity,” said Eduardo Jesus, Madeira’s Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture and President of the Madeira Promotion Bureau.

“This communication initiative reinforces an ongoing strategy to enhance this offer, helping to establish the region as an appealing destination for everyone throughout the year and one capable of providing distinctive experiences to its visitors,” he added.

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Digital campaign targets priority markets

Digital communication will play a significant role in the campaign, with different formats being used to extend its reach and increase engagement.

Audiences will be directed towards the Visit Madeira and Visit Madeira Events platforms, where travellers can explore the archipelago’s annual events calendar and plan trips around specific experiences.

@s.x.traveler Explore the enchanting streets and seaside views that captured the heart of Winston Churchill himself in 1950. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Madeira as you wander through vineyards, savor local delicacies, and embrace the timeless charm of this gem of a town. Location: Câmara de Lobos, Madeira, Portugal Planning your trip to Madeira? on my interactive guide & Madeira map you’ll find much more incredible and unique places link in bio #camaradelobos #Madeira #OceanEscape #TravelGoals #ExploreMadeira #SeasideRetreat #madeiraaccomodation #VacationVibes #CultureTrip #VisitMadeira #IslandLife #CharmingVillage #BucketListAdventures #UnforgettableExperiences ♬ Sparks – Coldplay

The initiative is also intended to reinforce Madeira’s international recognition as one of Europe’s leading destinations for festivals and events, highlighting the islands’ ability to host high-quality events and offer memorable experiences throughout the year.

By using events to promote local culture, identity and authenticity, the campaign supports Madeira’s broader strategy to maintain its appeal across different seasons and among both domestic and international markets.

L’article Madeira launches campaign to strengthen position as year-round events destination est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Developers in Portugal appear set to cash in on the 2030 event, as plans have been unveiled for a new 80-hectare attraction to be built near the historic town of Santarém, just 40 minutes from the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

According to developers Zul Virani and JFA Group, the new theme park, to be named “Viva Mundo,” would be split into six areas and boast 28 football-based experiences, such as a 4D cinema, a log flume, dual “racing” rollercoasters, and a Las Vegas-style sphere.

Billed as “the world’s first destination dedicated to football” and a place “Made for every football fan” where there will be “No flags. No clubs. A space where the only identity that matters is a love of the game,” the park is expected to cost €450 million and to be ready by the end of April 2029, well before the World Cup kick-off in June.

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Santarém, an historic city with a multicultural past and a vibrant, stylish local food scene, is sometimes referred to as the capital of Portuguese Gothic, thanks to the proliferation of Gothic architecture spanning nearly all styles and eras in the town. The town is built on a prominent limestone and sandstone bluff along the right bank of the Tagus (Tejo) River. Its cliffs and valleys boast geological records from the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, making it a significant environmental site.

Critics of the plan have raised concerns over an alleged lack of transparency in how the land was transferred and the privatisation of public community space, with protests from citizens’ groups at official project meetings pointing to potential strain on the local environment, existing infrastructure, traffic, and housing in the Ribatejo region.

Despite that historical and environmental sensitivity, feasibility studies for the football theme park have already been undertaken, and the project has progressed to the design stage, with a master plan approved by local authorities, amid expectations that the park might attract 1.5 million visitors a year and generate between 800 and 1,000 direct jobs.

Renderings reveal a vast main entrance concourse, spanned by an elliptical arch that frames a huge golden monument in the shape of the World Cup itself. The concourse is shown lined with neon-filled retail spaces, while the park’s six proposed sections include “Memory” (where a shop and museum will showcase footballing history and memorabilia); “Flavours,” where refreshments and restaurants will be located; and a ”Fans” zone, intended to capture the atmosphere of match day. A 300-room hotel is planned too, allowing fans to stay on-site, Disney-style.

The complete design is forecast to be ready by January 2027, and the developers are seeking a licence to break ground by the end of the following month.

L’article Portugal to open €450 million football theme park ahead of FIFA World Cup 2030 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.