Porto hailed World’s Leading City Destination
Portugal is celebrating another successful performance at the international edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA), having brought home 12 major accolades.
Leading the way are Porto, which was hailed the World’s Leading City Destination; the archipelago of Madeira, singled out as the World’s Leading Island Destination; and Portuguese capital Lisbon, named the World’s Leading Seaside Metropolitan Destination.
Porto Council has described the accolade as the “largest global accolade in travel and tourism” and a “unique distinction in the industry,” while Madeira’s regional secretary of state of culture has said the archipelago’s prize “strengthens its international positioning.”
The Algarve, however, was unable to retain the title of World’s Leading Beach Destination which it had held for two years straight, having lost it to the Philippines.
Portugal’s flagship airline TAP – which remains a nearly daily talking point due to its possible reprivatisation – can at least enjoy a moment of respite, having been named World’s Leading Airline to Africa and World’s Leading Airline to South America.
Elsewhere in Portugal, the stunning Passadiços do Paiva boardwalks in Arouca were hailed World’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction.
Dark Sky Alqueva, which describes itself as the “first starlight tourism destination in the world,” was awarded World’s Responsible Tourism Award, while Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua was named World’s Leading Conservation Company.
Portugal’s hotel sector also had its moments in the spotlight.
In the Algarve, Almancil’s Dunas Douradas Beach Club was named World’s Leading Golf & Villa Resort.
Two hotels were awarded in Lisbon, with Pestana Palace being named World’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel and Olissippo Lapa Palace earning the title World’s Leading Classic Hotel.
Last but not least, Portuguese company Amazing Evolution was honoured with the title of World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Operator.
The winners were announced on Friday night at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2022 in Muscat, Oman.
WTA founder Graham Cooke said: “I would like to personally thank all of the winners tonight. You have been recognised by our global voting audience as the leaders of tourism excellence. I know that your commitment to becoming the very best will in turn serve to drive up standards across the industry and will raise the collective benchmark.”
WTA was established in 1993 to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
“Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire,” the WTA website says.
