Loulé was the winner of the Best Municipality for Tourism award in the 2013 Publituris Portugal Trade Awards.
The prize-giving ceremony, organised by Publituris magazine, took place on February 27 at the Bolsa de Turismo de Lisboa (BTL) event. In attendance was the recently-appointed Secretary of State for Tourism, Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, who replaced Cecília Meireles in the role.
Other nominees for the same award were the municipalities of Cascais, Guimarães, Funchal, Lisbon and Vila Real de Santo António.
Another victory for Loulé was the naming of Vilamoura as Best Marina.
Collecting the Best Municipality for Tourism prize on behalf of the Câmara was councillor Joaquim Guerreiro, who said the award recognises the work that has been developed by the municipality in the past 12 years, particularly in the areas of land use planning, infrastructure, urban rehabilitation, nature conservation, promotion and entertainment.
He mentioned the many international sporting events that are held regularly in the municipality that help to place Loulé in the spotlight, such as the Rally de Portugal and the Portugal Masters golf tournament.
 Loulé councillor for tourism Joaquim Guerreiro received the municipality award |
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Joaquim Guerreiro concluded his speech by dedicating the award to the council’s entrepreneurs, visitors, tourists and residents, who have all played an important role in the attribution of the prize.
Loulé Mayor Seruca Emídio said he was very proud of the distinction and highlighted the importance of public and private investment in the county with projects that have helped “elevate” the image of Loulé in the national and international tourism markets.
He said that “excellence” has been key to the “Loulé brand” and that in the last eight years alone five luxury hotels and two golf courses have been built in the council.
Looking to the future, Seruca Emídio said he was excited about two important projects currently in the development phase that he believes will bring dynamism to impoverished areas. They are the Vale do Freixo Golf & Country Estate and the Quinta da Ombria Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort (see box). However, investors are still being sought to take the projects forward.
Meanwhile, the Rota Vicentina, a picturesque nature trail stretching from Sagres to Santiago do Cacém in the Alentejo, won the Innovation Prize at the Publituris awards.
||2013 Publituris Portugal Trade Awards winners
Best Cruise Company – Royal Caribbean
Best Aviation Services Management – ATR
Best Transfers Company – Best Transfers 4 You
Best Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) – The House of Events
Best International Operator – Jet2 Holidays
Best Events Venue – Mosteiro Santa Clara-a-Velha
Best Congress Venue – Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto
Best Active Tourism Company – Picos de Aventura
Best Corporate Agency – Top Atlântico
Best Operator Site – Abreu Online
Best Port/Marina – Marina de Vilamoura
Best Independent Hotel – The Yeatman
Best Hotel Site – Porto Bay
Best Rural Tourism Unit – Casas do Côro
Best Municipality – Loulé
Innovation Prize – Rota Vicentina
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