THE ISLANDS OF MADEIRA
Completely different from the Portuguese mainland,
Madeira is a green, subtropical paradise of volcanic
origin, located nearly 1,000 km from Lisbon and
some 600 km off the Moroccan coast.
Upmarket appeal is just one of the reasons why Madeira
has long-been a popular conference and incentive
destination. And with temperatures rarely dipping
below 18ºC, it’s easy to see why group
organisers regularly short-list the island for both
winter and summer events.
And after the meetings are over, delegates have
a wide range of activities and venues available.
For groups of up to 100 people, a replica of Christopher
Columbus’s ship is a good option for cocktail
receptions and evening parties. In the centre of
the capital, Funchal, folklore or medieval-themed
dinners at the Old Blandy Wine Lodge can cater for
up to 200 people. Guests begin the evening with
a tour of the lodge and a wine-tasting session.
15 minutes by air, a day-trip to Madeira’s
sister island, Porto Santo, is another good option
for small groups.
A series of recent developments have greatly enhanced
Madeira’s reputation among international MICE
planners, including the opening of several new four-
and five-star hotels at the turn of the century.
Unveiled in autumn last year, the airport’s
US$500 million face-lift means that the island can
now receive wide-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing
747-400. Besides this, ongoing improvements at the
high-tech Madeira Tecnopolo will further extend
the island’s capacity for large-scale congresses
and conventions.
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