Portugal cleaned up at this year’s World Travel Awards in Doha, Qatar, winning five coveted ‘Oscars’ for International Tourism.
Among the pack were awards for the World’s Leading Golf Destination, the World’s Leading Boutique Resort (Vila Joya in Albufeira) and the World’s Leading Luxury Leisure Resort & Spa (Conrad Algarve). Both Vila Joya and Conrad Algarve have been distinguished before, but that didn’t stop their delight with this year’s distinctions.
Joachim Hartl, Conrad Algarve’s general manager, said he was “very happy”, and also stressed other contenders.
“Obviously winning this award helps us, but all awards won by Portugal are important. For example, to be located in the world’s best golf destination is a great attribute,” Hartl told the Algarve Resident.
The night was special also for The Vine in Madeira, considered the World’s Leading Design Hotel, and for the management of Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua, which won the title of the World’s Leading Conservation Company.
But perhaps the most relevant on a national level for the country was the award for leading golf destination.
The Algarve Resident questioned the president of the Portuguese Golf Federation, Manuel Agrellos, on how this could benefit the country in the future.
“It is normal for these distinctions to have a very positive impact on the economic development of Portugal through golf and I hope that all the necessary measures are taken in order to make the country an increasingly competitive destination,” Agrellos said.
The head of golf activity in Portugal stressed that “multiple entities have been acknowledging the work that the country has been carrying out over the last decades” and considered that “the golf industry is to be congratulated” for yet another award.
But Portugal was not the only star of the show. Asian countries were also among the event’s winners, which included Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, voted World’s Leading Hotel Brand, while JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was proclaimed World’s Leading New Hotel. World’s Leading Hotel went to Burj Al Arab and World’s Leading Spa Resort was awarded to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, in Dubai.
The World Travel Awards celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and describes itself as being “acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, celebrating those companies, organisations and brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service”.
By MICHAEL BRUXO news@algarveresident.com
