The Algarve was once again elected as the “Best Beach Destination in Europe” at the World Travel Awards – the “Tourism Oscars” -, in a ceremony held on September 30, in St. Petersburg (Russia). Still, the awards for the region do not stop there.
In this edition of the “Tourism Oscars”, the Algarve is once again distinguished for the quality of its waters and beaches and for the natural beauty of its coast, but also for the excellence of its hotel units that won 11 awards in total, in the European categories (7 ) and national (4).
«I could only be proud of the region and of all those who have contributed over the years to making the Algarve a tourist destination of excellence. The region is already recognized worldwide for its beaches and tourists are now discovering a new Algarve that includes several other attributes of excellence», says Desidério Silva, president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA).
"This is the case of the hotel offer and our heritage, our gastronomy, the exceptional conditions for sports, our fauna and flora, among many other qualities, which make the region an ideal destination for any month of the year", he says .
The Algarve hotel industry was also distinguished in large numbers in the “Oscars of Tourism”, with eleven prizes collected among the best units in Europe and Portugal. In the “Europe” section, Vila Joya, in Albufeira, won two distinctions: “Best Boutique Resort” and “Best Boutique Hotel”.
The Hotel Quinta do Lago was elected the “Best Beach Resort”, the Monte Santo Resort, in Carvoeiro (Lagoa), was consecrated the “Most Romantic Resort”, the Epic Sana Algarve, in Albufeira, won in the category of “Best Lifestyle Resort” and Conrad Algarve, at Quinta do Lago (Loulé), in the “Best Luxury Lifestyle Resort”.
Finally, the Ria Park Hotel, in Olhão, was elected the “Best Hotel Meetings & Conference in Europe”.
In the Portugal class, the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa was elected the “Best Resort”, the Pine Cliffs Resort, in Albufeira, was named the “Best Family Resort”, the Ria Park Hotel was considered the “Best Conference Hotel” , and, finally, Dunas Douradas Beach Club, in Vale do Lobo (Loulé), was designated as “Best Villa Resort in Portugal”.
«It is with satisfaction that we see the Algarve hotel industry win 11 awards for excellence at the World Travel Awards. This is a unique recognition for the work and continuous investment of the Algarve operators in promoting a superior quality service, which places the region on the map of the best destinations in Europe and worldwide», considers Desidério Silva.
«The main national holiday destination, the Algarve hopes to register around 20 million overnight stays by the end of the year. This year, the region has already received numerous national and international awards, such as the Confidence Brand for the Reader's Digest Selections and the Best National Tourism Region at the Publituris Portugal Travel Awards, which is now joined by the Best Beach Destination in Europe », tells the RTA.
The Algarve Tourism Association (ATA), the agency responsible for promoting the Algarve's tourism to foreign markets, has also already congratulated itself on this distinction: the fifth time the Algarve has won .
«The maintenance of this position over the past three years has come to recognize and validate the strategy and work that ATA has been developing and implementing together with its members and partners», defends Dora Coelho, executive director of this Association.
«In order to capitalize on this image of the Algarve as the best “Sun & Sea destination in Europe”, we have been investing in the loyalty of priority strategic markets, but also in the diversification of other markets in a sustained manner, providing visitors to us an enrichment of your experience at the destination, through the complementary offer of other products», he explains.
«This award is also an extremely important contribution to the work we have been carrying out in order to position the Algarve in strategic segments as an affordable luxury destination and an authentic destination», adds Dora Coelho.
The first edition of the World Travel Awards took place in 1993 and, over the years, it has recognized organizations that provide excellent services in the tourism industry, worldwide, in order to stimulate the sector's competitiveness and quality. The selection of nominees is carried out worldwide by thousands of professionals, who each year choose their favorites.
This year, Portugal was elected as the “Best European Destination” for the first time.
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