On Location: Chasing Clues in Porto! Air Canada-United Race Take Travel Advisors on Wild Ride in Portugal

For two decades, Air Canada has brought together travel advisors and important destinations for an event combining networking, knowledge gain and endless fun.

In recent years, trans-border joint venture collaborator United Airlines has stepped up as a full partner, resulting in a 50/50 mix of Canadian and U.S. participants, working side-by-side in a fierce, yet friendly competition.

Over those 20 iterations, the race — now known as the Air Canada-United Airlines Race, has visited 25 cities and featured over 800 participants. Securing a space in the race has become a golden ticket: this year there were more than 1,500 applications for just 15 spots each from Canada and the U.S.

On October 17, teams from across North America took to the streets of Porto, Portugal for a citywide scavenger hunt. It was an ideal location considering that Portugal is one of the world’s hottest destinations.

Beyond the final scores, this special edition highlighted the traditions, connections and friendship that have kept the adventure going for two decades.

Here’s a look back at a race filled with challenges, laughter and unforgettable moments.

Ready, Set…Porto!

With iPad in hand, clues to uncover and an entire city to explore, the six teams competing in the 2026 Air Canada–United Airlines Race had one mission in mind: win the race.

Divided into groups of five to six, participants made their way through the streets of Porto, tackling photo challenges, completing video missions and answering trivia questions about Portuguese culture.

Sharp eyes, teamwork and a little creativity were essential.

Each team followed its own route, with plenty of opportunities to discover Porto while putting their teamwork to the test. The competition was convivial, but there was still a title up for grabs and competitive spirits ran high.

Every clue counts

Finding the right answer, capturing the perfect photo and planning the next video challenge kept teams on their toes, with everyone having a chance to contribute.

Questions about Portuguese culture tested participants’ knowledge, while photo and video missions called for creativity and teamwork.

Whether it was taking a group photo without anyone touching the ground, singing a serenade in the middle of the street for a smiling Portuguese audience or dancing through the streets of Porto, teams had to brainstorm, agree on an idea and bring it to life. Every team had its own strategy. Some focused on speed, others on accuracy or creativity.

Along the way, Porto became much more than a backdrop. The city itself was part of the game, offering travel professionals a fun and interactive way to explore the destination while staying focused on their ultimate mission: collecting points.

A trip down memory lane

Among this year’s competitors was travel advisor Jenn Soum, who had a particularly special connection to the event: she participated in the first Race back in 2006. Two decades later, the memories remain vivid.

“What do I remember? We explored Vancouver and Whistler, in smaller groups and without the tablets we have today,” she recalled with a laugh. Soum said one thing has remained unchanged: the friendships formed along the way.

This milestone anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on how far the event has come and what continues to bring travel professionals together year after year.

Destinations and challenges may change, but discovering new places firsthand and building meaningful connections remain at the heart of the experience.

Discovering the best of Porto

In an interview, Luis Pedro Martins, president of Visit Porto and North of Portugal, shared his enthusiasm for the event and the growing relationship between Canada and Portugal.

“I have always believed in the potential of this connection between Canada and Portugal. This year, Canada climbed to seventh place among our tourism markets, a significant step forward that confirms Canadians’ growing interest in our destination. Hosting the Air Canada–United Airlines Race for the second time is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the richness and diversity of our region to travel professionals.”

Different editions, same spirit

Destinations change and challenges evolve, but the connections made along the way remain central to the experience.

When asked what has stayed consistent throughout the years, organizers pointed to the friendships, bonds and sense of connection that develop among participants.

In Porto, the camaraderie witnessed throughout the race was a clear reflection of that sentiment. Participants came to take on the challenge, but also to share memorable experiences together.

The secret behind 20 Years of racing

How do you keep the magic of the Race alive after two decades? For Adam Luciado, United Airlines’ Chicago-based Sales Director, the answer lies in the relationships built among participants over the years.

Each edition, he sees the same spirit of camaraderie bringing travel professionals together.

Beyond the competition, the Race offers a chance to connect, build friendships and share experiences outside their usual work environment.

According to Lupita Cardiel, senior manager of global partnerships at Air Canada, agrees that these lasting connections have played a key role in the event’s success over the past 20 years.

Winning memories

After a full day of racing through Porto, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The celebrations continued at the Cálem wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the winning team was officially announced.

“Team Three” emerged victorious, with winning members Nancy Philbin of Gant Travel Management and Edith Rushton of Expedia Cruises; Amina Akkari Chouikha of Groupe Voyages VP; Kofo Owolabi of Nexion Canada; and Garry Brown of Maritz.

The grand prize? Two round-trip tickets to Portugal and a two-night stay at the Neya Porto Hotel.

Eight additional prizes were also drawn among participants, adding more excitement to the evening. It was a fitting finale to an unforgettable 20th anniversary edition.

More than just a race

From racing through Porto’s streets to tackling unexpected challenges, this year’s edition delivered plenty of laughs, a little friendly rivalry and more than a few kilometres on everyone’s step counters.

For our reporter on the ground, some of the best moments came from watching teams brainstorm, cheer each other on and make the most of every challenge along the way.

After two decades, the Air Canada–United Airlines Race is still going strong, proving that while the destinations and challenges may change, the spirit of the Race remains constant.