Portugal is the best destination in the world for the third consecutive year
Portugal has brought home more than a dozen Oscars of the travel industry. There are distinctions for cities, hotels, airlines and even tourist attractions.
For the third consecutive year, Portugal once again won the Best Tourist Destination in the World award. At the World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony, which took place this Thursday in Oman, the Portuguese also brought home more than a dozen other awards, such as best hotel, best resort, best airline and best cruise port.
In a fierce competition between 22 competitors from all over the world, Portugal was elected the Best Tourist Destination in the World, winning over countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Greece, Jamaica, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
This distinction “once again confirms that Portugal is the best tourist destination in the world. It is an honour to have received this award, which distinguishes the excellence in Portugal and, at the same time, elevates the demand. We must all continue to work to reinforce Portugal’s international affirmation,” says the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, in a statement.
In 2016 and 2017 this award also came to the country, making Portugal at the time the first European country to receive this award.
The city of Lisbon is also worthy of note for the second consecutive year as it won the prize for Best City Break in the World, surpassing cities such as Athens, Dubai, Las Vegas, New York and Sydney. In addition, Madeira was elected the Best Island Destination in the World, competing with 18 islands, including Bali, Bora Bora, Fiji, Hawaii and Maldives.
In the airlines’ category, TAP is also to be congratulated for being voted the Best Airline to fly to Africa and the Best Airline to fly to South America. In addition, the company also received the award for Best Flight Magazine in the World, with UP Magazine.
In the hotel sector, Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, in Lisbon, was elected the Best Classic Hotel in the World, while the Dunas Douradas Beach Club, in Almancil, received the award for Best Golf&Villa Resort in the World. Amazing Evolution Management – which manages units such as the 1908 Lisboa Hotel and Aldeia dos Capuchos – was also elected the Best Boutique Hotel Operator in the World.
The Passadiços do Paiva, in Arouca, which are already recognized as a World Geological Heritage Site by UNESCO, have been elected the World’s Best Tourist Attraction in the Adventure field, competing with international attractions such as Dolphin Cove (Jamaica) and Jebel Jais Flight (near Dubai). Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua was distinguished as the Best Leading Conservation Company in the World.
Last but not least, Portugal also brought home the prize for Best Official Tourism organization in the World with Turismo de Portugal, in a competition with companies such as the Mazatlán Tourism Board, the Public and Municipal Company of Tourism, Civic Promotion and International Relations of Guayaquil, the Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visit London.
