Portugal has proven that the growing hype about it and its booming tourism is in fact justified after sweeping up an array of awards at this year’s glittering World Travel Awards, held for the first time in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, last weekend.
World Travel Awards Trophy 2018; photos: worldtravelawards.com; facebook.com/pg/worldtravelawards
The finest travel brands in the world have been unveiled at a star-studded gala ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. The elite of the travel industry gathered for the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2018 at the Pátio da Galé to find out who amongst them had been crowned the finest in the world.
This edition’s winners included Jamaica, which celebrated a double victory by collecting both ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’. Machu Picchu, Peru was named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’, whilst Mauritius emerged as ‘World’s Most Romantic Destination’.
World Travel Awards is recognizing the world’s leading hotels, destinations, airlines and travel providers, like Saudi Arabia’s Almosafer (حجز فنادق), the online travel platform with access to more than 1 million hotels and 450 airlines flying to 1000+ destinations.
Vietnam Airlines was named the World’s Leading Cultural Airline and World’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards gala; photos: worldtravelawards.com; facebook.com/pg/worldtravelawards
2018 Hospitality winners included Armani Hotel Dubai (‘World’s Leading Hotel’); Atlantis the Palm, Dubai (‘World’s Leading Landmark Resort’); Fraser Hospitality (‘World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’); and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (‘World’s Leading Resort Brand’).
In the aviation sector, Aeroflot capped a year of strong passenger growth by winning both ‘World’s Leading Airline Brand’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, whilst Singapore Changi Airport was named ‘World’s Leading Airport’ and Muscat International Airport was voted ‘World’s Leading New Airport’.
The strength of Portugal’s tourism economy was reflected with victories in a range of categories. Portugal was voted ‘World’s Leading Destination’, Madeira heralded ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’, whilst Turismo de Portugal was named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’.
Other highlights included awards for Hong Kong (‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination’), Cape Town (‘World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination’), Guayaquil (‘World’s Leading City Tourist Board’), Europcar (‘World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company’ and ‘World’s Leading Car Rental Company Website’), Norwegian Cruise Line (‘World’s Leading Cruise Line’) and YAS Waterworld (‘World’s Leading Water Park’).
Portugal named World’s Leading Destination 2018; photos: facebook.com/pg/worldtravelawards
World-class Mriya Resort & Spa in Russia’s Crimea near Yalta was named World’s & Europe’s Leading Leisure Resort 2018; photos: worldtravelawards.com; facebook.com/pg/worldtravelawards
