Portugal has won 24 major prizes at the European edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA), considered the ‘Oscars’ of the tourism sector. The number is well up from last year’s 15.
Nine of the accolades were for the Algarve, once again named Europe’s ‘Leading Beach Destination’.
Several regional hotels and resorts also received prizes, including Quinta do Lago (Leading Beach Resort), Vila Joya (Boutique Hotel), Pine Cliffs (Family Resort), Private Villas at Vila Vita Parc (Hotel Villas), Conrad Algarve (Luxury Resort & Spa), EPIC Sana (MICE Hotel), Monte Santo (Romantic Resort) and Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites (New Resort).
Elsewhere in Portugal, other big honours were won.
Lisbon was named Europe’s best ‘Cruise Destination’ and ‘Cruise Port’, while the Madeira archipelago, seriously ravaged by fires this summer, now boasts the title of ‘Leading Island Destination’.
Arouca’s Passadiços do Paiva, an 8km boardwalk along the banks of Rio Paiva in the north of Portugal that is expecting renovation work after also being affected by fires this summer, was named ‘Leading Tourism Development Project’, and national airline TAP won awards for best airline flying to South America and Africa, as well as its Up Magazine which was named ‘Leading Inflight Magazine’.
The list continues with Turismo de Portugal being considered Europe’s ‘Leading Tourist Board’ and Douro Azul ‘Leading River Cruise Company’.
Finally, many national hotels and resorts also received accolades: Pestana Porto Santo (All-Inclusive Resort), Choupana Hills (Boutique Resort), Myriad by SANA Hotels (Business Hotel), Altis Belém (Design Hotel), The Vine (Island Hotel & Spa), and Bairro Alto Hotel (Landmark Hotel).
The gala award ceremony was held Sunday (September 4) in Sardinia, Italy.
To see the full list of winners, go to Click here
