The Algarve is nominated for eight European awards under the World Travel Awards (WTA), with the Vila Joya, from Albufeira, awarded in 2011 as the best in the world, to emerge ahead, with two nominations (Best Boutique Hotel and Boutique Resort in Europe).
This year, the gala for the delivery of those considered the “Oscars” of European tourism is scheduled for the Algarve region, in October, more specifically for the new Conrad Algarve hotel, whose opening to the public, under the Hilton seal, should take place in November .
Besides the Vila Joya, who defends the title he won in the previous two years, the Algarve nominees are the Club Med da Balaia (Albufeira), in the category of Best All-inclusive Resort, the Sheraton Algarve Hotel (Best Resort) and the Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel (Sagres, Vila do Bispo), in the category of Best Villa Resort.
Praia de Dona Ana, in Lagos, is nominated as Best Beach Destination in Europe, competing, for example, with well-known resorts such as Cannes or Port Grimaud (France), Formentera (Ibiza, Baleares, Spain), Marbella (Spain) or Corfu (Greece).
Finally, in the category of Best European Golf Resort, two Portuguese developments compete, both in the Algarve: the Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort and the Quinta do Lago Hotel.
These two Algarve golf resorts are named alongside mythical locations such as The Gleneagles Hotel and Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland and Evian Resort in France.
Portugal, as a whole, competes for 26 awards among the best in europe, including five nominations for Lisbon (best global European destination, city breaks/"city breaks" destination, airport, port and cruise destination).
Voting is already underway online. Everyone can vote, although each vote from professionals in the tourism sector is worth two.
In addition to those awarded in Europe and in nine other continental areas around the world, the best in each country will also be chosen in various categories. Last year, Pine Cliffs, Hilton Vilamoura and Hotel Quinta do Lago were awarded nationally.
The World Travel Awards, organized since 1993, are divided into ten world regions with galas for each division taking place throughout the year and culminating in a final ceremony (with awards for the best in the world), which this year is scheduled for December in New Delhi, India.
The gala for 2011 took place in January and Portugal won three world prizes: two for TAP, which was considered best company for Africa and South America, and one for Vila Joya, best boutique resort in the world.
Here are the Algarve appointments:
Europe's Leading All-inclusive Resort:
Balaia Club Med, Portugal
Europe's Leading Beach Destination
Paia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal
Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel and Europe's Leading Boutique Resort
Vila Joya, Portugal
Europe's Leading Golf Resort
Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort, Portugal
Hotel Quinta do Lago, Portugal
Europe's Leading Resort
Sheraton Algarve Hotel, Portugal
Europe's Leading Villa Resort
Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Portugal
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