TORONTO — ACTA is going global, with its first-ever international destination conference scheduled for this November in the Azores.

Taking place from Nov. 18-25, 2024 on two of the Azores islands, São Miguel and Terceira, the ACTA International Destination Conference comprises an eight-day itinerary that will allow travel advisors to connect with local providers, improve product knowledge, develop social media business building skills, and immerse themselves in the local culture.

For the full itinerary, click here. 

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

Luis Capdeville, CEO at Visit Azores, added: “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 five markets sending tourists to the Azores Islands.”

Travel advisors can register their interest online before midnight PST, Friday, May 3, 2024. To register, click here. 

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 $250 on/after Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The cost to attend the conference is $999 (based on single occupancy), which includes air from Toronto, single occupancy accommodations and a custom itinerary. 

The conference is only open to travel advisors (no companions). Travel advisors who are not currently ACTA members can submit their membership application at www.acta.ca/membership.

AZORES AIRLINES’ YEAR-ROUND SERVICE

Azores Airlines is the only carrier offering nonstop 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 nonstop flights to Ponta Delgada begin in April and increase to 4x weekly from June until September.

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 nine Azorean Islands as well as to Porto, Lisbon, Funchal, Faro (summer 2024) or beyond.

To register interest for the ACTA International Destination Conference, click here.