| ATLANTIC ESTATES WINS "BEST ESTATE AGENT" AT OPP INDUSTRY AWARDS 2009 |
28/10/2009
Boutique Portugal agent receives top honour from leading overseas property industry publication for excellence in customer service, marketing and international reach. |
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Vilamoura, Portugal, 28 October 2009 – Atlantic Estates has been named “Best Estate Agent” by OPP Industry Awards 2009, presented by Overseas Property Professional trade magazine. The announcement was made last week amid a gathering of industry professionals at the OPP Live! trade exhibition in London. Awards were given in nine categories to companies presenting the most innovative, collaborative, strategic and professional approach to business.
“This is an extraordinary honour,” says Artur Simes, owner and managing director of Atlantic Estates. “Receiving this award from such a respected industry institution, during such difficult economic times, is a tremendous recognition of the passion and fortitude of our team.”
In bestowing the recognition, OPP cited, “Atlantic Estates goes one step beyond to qualify buyers. Its PR and marketing are strong points. Its geographical reach is widespread, with a good mix of multi-lingual staff.”
In the last year, Atlantic Estates have implemented a number of new initiatives to generate business and increase customer satisfaction, including a proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, a dedicated Agent Zone on the website assisting agent partners with property materials and increasing communication, the “Lifestyle Visits” program offering qualified buyers themed holiday packages to view properties, and the Blue Box Card customer appreciation program providing discounts at upscale establishments to Atlantic Estates buyers.
“As the economy slowly recovers, Portugal residential tourism is well-positioned,” asserts Simes. “Property values are stable, and Portugal is still considered a reliable market for real estate investment and holiday homes. By honouring a Portuguese agent, the industry is putting its faith in this region, and everyone involved in the Portugal property market can benefit.”
The award judging panel included Thijs Stoffer, president of ICREA; Paul Owen, chief executive of the AIPP; Ian Tonge, chairman of NAEA International; John Sebree, vice president of policy at the Florida Association of Realtors; Paul Gardner Bougaard, chief executive of the Resort Developers Organisation and head of fractional body FSOTA; Janet Branton, head of the international division of the National Association of Realtors; Graham Norwood, property journalist and author; Bernadette Costello, freelance journalist, PR and former editor of OPP; Tricia Topping, chief executive of PR consultancy TTA Group; and Tom Nutley, president of Reed Travel Exhibitions. |
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