The World Travel Awards 2014, known as the ‘Tourism Oscars,’ took place in Athens on Saturday evening with Turismo de Portugal scooping the coveted award for best tourist board in Europe.
A spokesman for Portugal’s Ministry of the Economy said it considers the award "very positive and important for the international recognition" of Portugal’s tourist destination.
Portugal did well in many categories with awards given to cruise company Douro Azul, the Port of Lisbon as Europe’s leading cruise destination, TAP as Europe’s leading airline to Africa, and in the Algarve the Conrad (pictured) as Europe’s leading luxury resort, Vila Vita Parc as Europe’s most romantic resort, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel as Europe’s leading villa resort, Pine Cliffs as Europe’s leading hotel residence, and Vila Joya as Europe’s leading boutique hotel.
António Pires de Lima, Portugal's Minister of the Economy, said the award for the tourist board shows that Portugal has a public structure that effectively supports the industry and promotes Portugal as a destination.
The Secretary of State for Tourism, Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, commented that the "distinctions should be seen as another sign to confirm the merits of the sector, whose growth comes not from luck or chance.”
The votes that gave Turismo de Portugal the top slot came from thousands of professionals worldwide. The World Travel Awards started in 1993 to highlight the work being done in the tourism industry in order to stimulate competitiveness and quality.
