< PreviousIN THE WORLD RANKING, PORTUGAL IS IN THE 7 TH POSITION WWW.EVENTPOINTINTERNATIONAL.COM 10 NEWS LISBON MAINTAINS 2 ND PLACE AND PORTO RISES TO 16 TH IN THE ICCA WORLD RANKING In ICCA’s list, Portugal holds the 7 th position in the world and the 6 th in the European ranking. After a one-year break due to the pandemic, the ICCA – International Congress and Convention Association is once again releasing the rankings of destinations, by countries and cities, in global and regional terms. Portugal has reasons to celebrate, as it reinforced its position in relation to the last edition of the rankings, in 2020. In the world ranking, Portugal is in the 7 th position, shared with Japan, in a list led by the United States – it rose three places compared to the last list published by ICCA, where it occupied the 10 th place. In the European ranking, which is led by Spain, Portugal occupies the sixth position, moving up one place. In terms of cities, Lisbon maintains its second position in the world and European rankings, which are both led by Vienna. Porto, on the other hand, rose from the 39 th place on the 2020 list to the 16 th position. In European terms, Porto rose eight places, leaving the 22 nd place and assuming itself as the 14 th destination in the ranking. Other Portuguese cities on the ICCA list are Cascais (165 th in the world and 94 th in European terms), Funchal (228 th in the world | 129 th in Europe), Aveiro (254 th | 139 th ), Braga (278 th | 152 nd ), Coimbra ( 328 th | 170 th ), Évora (428 th | 215 th ), Guimarães (428 th | 215 th ), Guarda (592 nd | 307 th ), Peniche (592 nd | 307 th ), Tomar (876 th | 437 th ), Vila Real (876 th | 437 th ), Viseu (968 th | 475 th ), Vilamoura (1024 th | 511 th ), Albufeira (1040 th | 520 th ), Bragança (1040 th | 520 th ), Faro (1040 th | 520 th ), Olhão (1040 th | 520 th ), Porto Novo (1040 th | 520 th ) and Tavira (1040 th | 520 th ). Last year, ICCA omitted the rankings by countries and cities from its annual report because of the pandemic. Before, the lists only included meetings and events held on site, but given the impacts of covid-19, ICCA chose to create a destination performance index (DPI) to reward the efforts of destinations in relation to the original proposals, to the related policies with the pandemic and the adaptation and technological capabilities in converting face-to-face events into virtual or hybrid events. The DPI includes indicators such as planned meetings, unaffected meetings, virtual meetings, hybrid meetings, digitization: virtual/ hybrid, and business continuity: unaffected/virtual/hybrid.‘BLUE SKIES AHEAD AND EVENTS ARE COMING BACK STRONGLY’ 12 WWW.EVENTPOINTINTERNATIONAL.COM NEWS MARTA GOMES ELECTED ICCA PRESIDENT The Portuguese professional was elected on the opening day of the 61st ICCA Congress in Kraków. ICCA World members voted Marta Gomes as the new ICCA President on the opening day of the 61st ICCA Congress in Kraków. Marta Gomes, Deputy Executive Director, Sales, Viparis, succeeds James Rees in the role. After a difficult few years, Marta believes there are ‘blue skies ahead and events are coming back strongly’ but, we should be ever mindful of the challenges ahead. Challenges we can meet if we have the belief and confidence to talk about ‘the value of our industry’ in a clear, proud and distinctive voice. As for her legacy as she takes up the presidential mantle, Marta hopes it is reflected in the tangible and effective ways in which their members engage with ICCA, particularly through the use of improved digital tools. She greatly appreciates ICCA heritage and their members and hopes her leadership will exceed their expectations. She also wants to welcome new talent, ‘the young leaders of tomorrow’ into their community. As for her successful campaign? Marta listened intently to members, and encouraged them to ask questions about how ICCA can meet their needs in a changing world: ‘It’s time to review some of the things we do, and possibly adapt what we offer according to our members’ needs.’ She congratulated her fellow Presidential candidates Gregg H. Talley and Daniel Palermo for their excellent campaigns and looks forward to continuing their close working collaboration in the coming years. Mostly, Marta was elated by the whole experience: ‘It’s amazing and exciting and it was a really emotional moment for me to have everyone stand up and clap. I’m already losing my voice for saying ‘thank you’ to so many messages of congratulations.’ A hugely popular choice, best summed up by ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath: ‘Marta is a big personality in the ICCA family and liked and appreciated by the ICCA Community. Her positivity, enthusiasm and commitment to improving the way ICCA thinks and works is an exciting prospect for us all. I very much enjoy working with her on the Board, and now look forward to her time as President.’ THE FILM WAS PRODUCED BY KOBU AGENCY © Visit Porto and North of Portugal WWW.EVENTPOINTINTERNATIONAL.COM 14 NEWS “THE MAJESTIC ADVENTURES OF OFELIA DE SOUZA” WINS COUNTLESS AWARDS The MICE campaign “The Majestic Adventures of Ofelia de Souza” is collecting awards for Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal. Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal won five awards at the ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival, with its promotional film “The Majestic Adventures of Ofelia de Souza”. The film took home the “Grand Prix” in the national and international competitions, the “Best Promotional Film ART&TUR 2022” and the first award in the “MICE” category in both competitions. This is only the most recent award won by Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal. “The Majestic Adventures of Ofelia de Souza” took the 2nd prize in the “Tourism Products” category at the 13th edition of the Greek festival Amorgos Tourism Film Festival. The film has also received a Gold Dolphin Trophy at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards 2022. It has already won awards at the Kiez Berlin Film Festival (“Best First Time Director”), Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival (“Grand Prix” and first place in the category “Tourism Products - MICE”), New York Festivals TV & Film Awards (Gold Trophy in the category “Corporate Image – Tourism”), International Tourism Film Festival Africa (Grand Prix in the category “Tourism International” and Gold Award in the category “Tourism Products”), Terres Travel Festival (Gold Award in the category “Tourism Products – MICE”) and Zagreb TourFilm Festival (“Best Event Film”). “The entire team at Turismo do Porto e Norte is to be congratulated, as well as our partner agencies KOBU and CAETSU and the other entities in the region that were also awarded”, says Luís Pedro Martins, Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal president. Launched in October last year, the film produced by Kobu Agency stars Ofelia de Souza, an experienced 72-year-old event planner and epicurean who, alongside her personal assistants Ofelier and Ofeliette, shares tips and secrets for choosing and enjoying the Porto and North region, one of the best business tourism destinations in the world. All the character’s costumes and interactions refer to products and spaces representative of the design, culture, industry and fashion of the region, in a film that intends to show that the destination has what is needed for organising major events.HOW IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE ALGARVE? Test your knowledge of the Algarve, have some fun, and find out more about a region you will certainly want to (re) discover. Find the correct answers on page 34. 1 – WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WINTER DAY TEMPERATURE IN THE ALGARVE? 18 25 14 2 – HOW MANY BEACHES ARE THERE IN THE ALGARVE REGION? 50 130 90 3 - HOW MANY GOLF COURSES CAN YOU FIND IN THE ALGARVE? 35 40 43 4 - ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY SUNNY DAYS PER YEAR ARE THERE IN THE ALGARVE? 250 275 300 © Associação Turismo Algarve 16 WWW.EVENTPOINTINTERNATIONAL.COM DESTINATION 12 – HOW BIG IS ALGARVE’S LARGEST CONGRESS CENTRE? 7050 sqm 5790 sqm 6140 sqm 13 – ALGARVE’S RACING TRACK (AUTÓDROMO INTERNACIONAL DO ALGARVE) HOSTS VARIOUS MOTORISED SPORTS, INCLUDING F1. WHEN WAS IT INAUGURATED? 1999 2008 1985 14 - WHICH TRAIL WON THE TITLE OF BEST DESTINATION FOR HIKING IN EUROPE, AWARDED BY EUROPEAN BEST DESTINATIONS ONLINE PORTAL? Trilho dos Vales Suspensos (Seven Hanging ValleysTrail) Trilho dos Pescadores (The Fishermen’s Trail) Trilho das Cascatas (Waterfall Trail) 5 - WHAT IS THE ALGARVE´S CAPACITY FOR CONGRESSES, CONVENTIONS, MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS? 50,000 60,000 70,000 6 – WHERE IN THE REGION CAN YOU SEE PINK FLAMINGOS? Parque Natural da Ria Formosa Sapal de Castro Marim Rocha da Pena 7 - WHAT IS THE HIKE (300 KM) THAT CROSSES THE WHOLE ALGARVE FROM ALCOUTIM TO CAP SAINT-VINCENT? Rota Vicentina Via Algarviana Ecovia do Litoral 8 - WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE ALGARVE? Sagres Monchique Loulé 9 - NAME 5 INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE ON THE ALGARVE? Water sports, hot air ballooning, golf, birdwatching and jeep safaris Golf, tennis, hot air ballooning, ski, nature activities Vineyard tours, hiking, safaris, dog sledding, biking 10 - WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE TRADITIONAL ALGARVE SEAFOOD DISH? Cataplana Risotto Paella 11 - WHICH CITY IS THE CAPITAL OF THE ALGARVE? Loulé Faro Portimão Tavira © Associação Turismo Algarve © Associação Turismo Algarve 15 – WHAT’S THE MOST FAMOUS CAVE IN THE ALGARVE, CONSIDERED BY THE “HUFFINGTON POST” AS ONE OF THE TEN MOST FASCINATING CAVES IN THE WORLD? Algar de Benagil Algar Seco Algar da AlbandeiraTHE PLANET BENEFITS FROM SAVING RESOURCES WWW.EVENTPOINTINTERNATIONAL.COM 18 OPINION DON’T INVENT The integration of sustainable criteria in events has long ceased to be a “nice to have”. Increasingly, society is looking for ways to minimise its impact on the environment and save resources. And this happens in all sectors, because the path of sustainability is the path of the future. Gone are the days when event organisers had as an excuse the financial investment necessary for not organising a sustainable event. Sustainable events have many benefits and clearly contribute to sustainable development. Not only do they help reduce CO 2 emissions, they also promote equal opportunities, inclusion and local economies. According to the United Nations, a sustainable event is an event conceived and organized to fulfil two objectives: to minimise all potential negative impacts on the environment and to leave a beneficial legacy for the host community and for all involved. The first thing to do? Don’t invent an event! A sustainable event is an event with a purpose. Having a purpose is the first sign of sustainability. The second thing? Don’t invent at an event. A sustainable event requires planning and coordination to meet specific objectives and actions that must be regularly evaluated and, ultimately, verified by competent authorities. Considering the United Nations definition, I understand that the best way to address all aspects of sustainability is to include the United Nations’ own Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in event planning and understand how your event addresses these challenges locally. Use the 17 goals fearlessly, even when your event appears to only address a few of them. The truth is that if you look at the 17 SDGs your perspective on sustainability will likely reach new and different levels. Let’s take the example of environmental impact. Reducing CO 2 emissions is clearly an advantage. Many sustainable events are also carbon neutral, meaning they take into account the emissions that could not be avoided during the event. Minimising environmental impact is directly related to SDGs 11 and 13 (sustainable communities and climate action), but there are other aspects that must be considered. Reducing the amount of waste and ensuring proper management, reducing water and electricity consumption, mitigating air, noise and light pollution, favouring spaces with natural light and clean air, ensuring a place where safe mobility is possible, healthy and sustainable and that encourages public and shared transport, ensure that selected catering companies are obliged to avoid packaging, using reusable tableware, prioritising the use of dispensers and bulk bottles for food and drinks and promote local, seasonal products that are organic or from fair trade, or preserving biodiversity are all issues directly linked to SDG 12 on production and consumption, SDG 7 on energy, SDG 18 on biodiversity, in addition to SDG 11 and 13. But sustainable events can go beyond concern for environmental impact. Promoting inclusion and equal opportunities for men and women or translating events into sign language, encouraging barrier-free access for people with reduced mobility, boosting the local economy, promoting events with all conditions of public health and safety assured and respecting the local or business culture will necessarily contribute to several SDGs linked to health, education, inequalities, decent work or peace and justice (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 or 16). Finally, promoting transparency through communication and avoid greenwashing at all costs, because a sustainable event involves effort and commitment that must be shared with society, or finding new partners and supporting small and medium-sized companies locally, ensuring participation. of all stakeholders, are factors that will definitely contribute to SDGs 8, 9, 11 and 17. It is important that the purpose of an event is clear and justified so that the message is also clear. Inspiring climate awareness is everyone’s duty and each of us may be surprised at what a small change can do to influence the perception of many. Organising entities have the power to demonstrate the benefits of a sustainable event, including the economic benefits they derive from it. This is also called “leading by example”. It is crucial to get the message across that events are and should be sustainable and that, if they are, we will all be beneficiaries. Organisers avoid damage and risk to your brand, generate savings and revenue opportunities, attract more audience, more committed employees, new customers, sponsors and suppliers. Participants enjoy more convenient, more rewarding and valuable events, making them more aware and involved. The planet benefits from saving resources. Maria João Ramos Strategic Management and Communication of projects focused on Sustainable Development specialistNext >