Portugal is reinforcing its standing as a world-class tourism destination as it steps up to host the most important night of the year for the global travel and tourism industry.
The World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2018 will take place at Lisbon’s historic Pátio da Galé on 1st December 2018, with the leading decision-makers, figureheads and influencers of travel to attend.
The evening will mark the climax of the WTA Grand Tour 2018 – an annual search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world, featuring the winners of WTA’s six regional ceremonies going head-to-head for the coveted World titles.
WTA is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. The evening will herald its first ever ceremony to be hosted in Lisbon.
Graham Cooke, Founder & President, WTA, said: “I am honoured that the delightful city of Lisbon is forming the climax of WTA’s Silver Jubilee anniversary of celebrating and rewarding excellence in travel. With its cobbled alleyways, historic buildings and cinematic hillsides, the Portuguese capital charmingly blends traditional heritage with modernism to form one of the world’s great cities.
Occupying the west wing of Terreiro do Paço, the landmark Pátio da Galé is spearheading Lisbon’s renaissance as a world-class events destination. A renovation in 2010 has maintained the architectural detailing and the importance of the square and the building in Lisbon’s colourful history.
Paula Oliveira, Executive Director, Turismo de Lisboa, said: "We are proud to welcome professionals from all over the world to our city. We host the ceremony at the very heart of historic Lisbon knowing guests will have an enjoyable time.”
As part of its Grand Tour 2018, WTA has hosted ceremonies in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Athens (Greece), Hong Kong, Guayaquil (Ecuador), Jamaica and Durban (South Africa) with the winners progressing to the Grand Final in Lisbon.
Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.
