Via Algarviana: street in Furnazinhas Foto Rob Dijksman
Portugal is the great winner of the World Travel Awards 2017 final, having won World’s Leading Destination award.
After winning the Europe’s Leading
Destination award earlier in September, Portugal joined the list of 17 nominees at the grand final, which took place on November 10 in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Among the nominees, there were destinations such as Brazil, Greece, Maldives, United States of America,
Morocco, Vietnam or Spain, and others.
This is the first time that a European country has won this distinction. The destination with the largest number of awards is Dubai (six awards) and in Europe only the cities
of London and Paris won World’s Leading Destination in the past.
According to Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State for Tourism, "we are facing a unique moment for tourism in Portugal. This is the recognition
of the work that has been developed over the years by all of those who are in some way connected with the tourism industry, but it is also the acknowledgment of the country that we have. An authentic, innovative, reinvented country that combines a wide variety
of experiences and landscapes, a country that combines cosmopolitanism, history, tradition, sun, nature and gastronomy. A country that knows and enjoys to welcome everyone. We must now continue this work of showing all the diversity of what Portugal has to
offer and which makes us a tourism destination of excellence ".
Other than the World’s Leading Destination, Portugal also won World’s Leading Tourist Board (for Turismo de Portugal) and World’s
Leading Tourism Authority Website (for visitportugal.com).
Luís Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, mentions that "this is the first time, after 10 years of Turismo de Portugal's history, we
have been recognised with global awards. Not only is Turismo de Portugal distinguished as the World's Leading Tourist Board, as the official destination information portal is considered the World's Leading Tourism Authority Website, on an international level.
These distinctions are only possible thanks to the efforts and dedication of a cohesive team, which professionalism, rigor and organizational ability prevail. It is with pride that we see our tourism strategy distinguished and gives us an increased motivation
in pursuit of our goals until 2027, in order to affirm Portugal as a tourist destination of excellence."