IBS Portugal launches franchise programme with Coimbra partnership

IBS Portugal, a travel agency founded in Portimão, has announced the launch of a franchise programme to expand its physical presence across Portugal. According to information published by Start Franchising on 27 September 2026, the company aims to reach 20 branches in Portugal within 24 months. The announced projects include a partnership with Académica for premises at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.

From Portimão to a network of travel agencies

The new programme follows IBS Portugal’s consolidation of its digital presence. Its announced approach is to retain face-to-face service at physical premises and expand that presence through franchise partners, rather than focusing development solely on digital channels.

Portimão, where the company began, is the starting point for this expansion. The stated ambition is nationwide, although the available information identifies only some of the proposed locations for future branches. The target of 20 premises within 24 months was attributed to Renato Cavadas, a founding partner of the company.

For those following Portugal’s franchise market, the announcement introduces a new travel-sector opportunity. However, this is the launch of a programme: the brand’s stated growth target should not be confused with a network of 20 agencies already in operation.

This distinction matters when tracking the project’s progress. The announcement sets out the intended scale, but does not provide a detailed opening schedule showing how the launches will be spread over the two years.

Coimbra among the first projects announced

According to Renato Cavadas, the programme began securing agreements before any formal promotion. The partnership with Académica, intended to establish a branch at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, is the most concrete example cited in the published information.

This location gives the expansion plan an initial reference point outside Portimão. However, the report does not specify an opening date for the Coimbra premises. What has been announced is a partnership to open a branch, not the start of trading.

Chaves is also mentioned among the proposed locations, alongside other places in Portugal yet to be confirmed. The available information does not give addresses, dates or details of these premises, so it is not possible to draw up a definitive list of forthcoming openings.

At this stage, anyone tracking the expansion should distinguish between announced agreements, proposed locations and branches that have actually opened. These are different stages in a network’s development and, in this case, the announcement focuses mainly on the initial commitments and the growth target.

Financial terms yet to be disclosed

IBS Portugal has not publicly disclosed the investment required, royalties or initial franchise fees for the programme. The published information directs interested parties to contact the company directly to obtain these terms.

The absence of these figures limits any public assessment of the opportunity. With the information available, it is not possible to calculate the amount needed to join, compare costs with other opportunities or estimate an investment payback period.

Nor would it be sound to draw conclusions about a future agency’s profitability from the expansion target. The intended number of branches reflects the brand’s ambition, but is not an earnings forecast for individual partners.

For anyone considering becoming a franchisee, the assessment should begin with the specific operating terms. Requesting a breakdown of the initial investment, recurring payments and contractual obligations is a practical due diligence step, not an indication of terms already confirmed by IBS Portugal.

What to watch next

Further developments will show how the programme moves from announcement to delivery. Confirmed opening dates, details of the remaining locations and access to the franchise terms will help prospective investors assess the scope of the opportunity.

For now, the key facts are the franchise launch, the announced partnership in Coimbra, the reference to Chaves and the target of reaching 20 branches within 24 months. These establish the context for IBS Portugal’s entry into the franchise market without assuming results that have yet to be demonstrated.

Practical note: before making a decision, ask IBS Portugal for its financial and contractual terms in writing and confirm the status of the announced openings.