Portugal reigned supreme in fourteen of around 100 different ‘Europe’s Leading’ categories, taking titles including Europe’s Leading Beach Destination and Europe’s Leading Tourist Board.
National flag-carrier TAP took home gongs for Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa and to South America as well as for its in-flight magazine Up.
The Algarve was voted Europe’s Leading Beach Destination, while the Turismo de Portugal national tourism board took the title of Europe’s Leading Tourism Board.
Hotel-wise a myriad of awards were brought back to Portugal, including Europe’s Leading Beach Resort (Hotel Quinta do Lago), Leading Boutique Hotel (Vila Joya), Design Hotel (The Vine Hotel), and Green Hotel (Corinthia Hotel Lisbon).
Lisbon’s Bairro Alto Hotel was voted as Europe’s Leading Landmark Hotel, while the Conrad took top spot in the category for Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort and Spa.
Rounding off the shower of accolades was the Monte Santo Resort, which took the award for Europe’s Most Romantic Resort.
Hundreds of industry leaders from across Europe were in attendance at the Gala Ceremony, considered by many to be the hospitality event of the year.
This year the World Travel Awards celebrates its 22nd anniversary and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.
In a statement the organisers of the event explained: “The brand aims to celebrate those organisations who are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence.”
The awards’ grand finale, which sees winners from the regional heats across the globe battle it out for the ‘World’s Leading’ titles, takes place in Morocco on 12 December.