For the third consecutive year Portugal was elected Europe’s Best Travel Destination by World Travel Awards.
Those who vote are from all over the world and visit the World Travel Awards’ site to cast their votes. There is a list of nominees for all the different regions and sections covering a wide range of awards.
Portugal has won a total of 39 awards this year ‐three more than in 2018.
In a press release, the office of the Portuguese Minister of Economy maintains that these awards “consolidate Portugal’s international prestige as a top tourist destination”.
The Algarve, for the sixth time, has won Europe’s Leading Beach Destination with the award being received by João Fernandes the current President of Turismo do Algarve, in Madeira on June 8.
Additionally, Lisbon was elected Europe’s Leading City Break destination and Europe’s Leading Cruise Port. Madeira was given the award of the Leading Island Destination.
One pleasant surprise was that Passadiços do Paiva, in the north-west of Portugal, was declared Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction of the year of 2019.
Pedro Siza Vieira, Minister of Economy, said it is with “great satisfaction” that Portugal welcomes these awards, adding that “Dark Sky Alqueva, in the Alentejo, being considered Europe’s Leading Responsible Tourism Award was particularly relevant.” According to Vieira, such recognition represents “a step towards becoming the world’s most sustainable touristic destination.”