Portugal continues to ride the wave of international tourism success, having been elected the World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the third year straight

The distinction is all the more impressive considering that Portugal edged out countries such as the USA, Brazil, Spain, India, Dubai and Greece. 

The award ceremony was held on Thursday in Muscat, Oman and saw Portugal winning a total of 12 ‘tourism Oscars’. 

Lisbon was named the World’s Leading City Break Destination and Madeira was crowned the World’s Leading Island Destination while Turismo de Portugal was elected the World’s Leading Tourist Board.

Also on the list of accolades won by Portugal are the World’s Leading Conservation Company (Parques de Sintra) and the World’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction (Passadiços do Paiva).

It was also an unforgettable night for national airline TAP, which received the awards for Leading Airline to South America and to Africa as well as for the Leading Inflight Magazine (Up Magazine).

Dunas Douradas in Almancil was one of just two Portuguese hotels to receive awards, being named the World’s Leading Golf & Villa Resort while Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel in Lisbon was selected as the World’s Leading Classic Hotel.

Last but not least, Portuguese company Amazing Evolution was crowned the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Operator.

Portugal’s success at the award ceremony was praised by Secretary of State for Tourism Rita Marques, who described the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ accolade as a sign of Portugal’s “excellence” and efforts to establish itself as a leading destination for holidaymakers.

She added that it is the result of a strategy that was created many years ago and which also aims to see the country being crowned the “most sustainable destination in the world”.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

“Today, the World Travel Award brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence,” it says on its website.

The full list of winners can be viewed here

Source: The Algarve Resident