TORONTO — Visit Portugal was eager to spread the word about what’s new in Portugal, with reps from 32 Portugal-based suppliers plus three airlines taking part in yesterday’s industry lunch event at Toronto’s Chelsea Hotel, hosted by Canadian rep VoX International.

The current promotional theme is #CantSkipPortugal and the idea is to focus on aspects of the destination that align with travel trends seen in the past several years with visitors searching for more experiences in their travel destinations, as opposed to just beaches above all else.

The chief reasons Portugal is a can’t-miss destination? Culture, nature, gastronomy and wine. Portugal is also recognized as one of the best golf destinations in Europe, and definitely not to be forgotten is the epic, world-class surfing.

Another big draw is heritage, with over 900 years of history. Portugal boasts 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Portugal has some distinct advantages due to its geographic location. It’s the closest European country to North America, making it an excellent stepping stone to Africa and the rest of Europe, say Portugal product reps. Being in the south of Europe means warm temperatures that pair nicely with 850 kilometres of coastline.

Canadians have many options for reaching Portugal by air, including service on Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat. Last year Air Canada Rouge introduced new service from Montreal to Lisbon and from Toronto to Porto.

To learn more about why clients #CantSkipPortugal, go to VisitPortugal.com and also watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU5W1LecyXw&list=PLuMAo-oYl9zgrnO8NlZJmHqBQ0H5U9lAg&index=2.