The Algarve has been voted the ‘European Golf Destination of the Year 2014,’ the main award of the golf tourism industry and was awarded by more than 500 members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
The award was presented in Tarragona, Spain at a ceremony of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the largest trade show dedicated to the world of golf travel industry which handles about 50 million players per year.
Dublin, Gran Canaria, the Scottish Highlands, the French Riviera and Provence, and the Lisbon ‘Golf Coast’ were other European destinations nominated by IAGTO in the category .
"We are fortunate to have some of the best courses in Europe, plus fantastic hotels and resorts that are perfect for accommodating the thousands of golf tourists who come to us," said Desiderio Silva, the president of Algarve Tourism, who noted "the efforts of tour operators and the excellence of the golf professionals that have contributed to the selection of the Algarve for this top award.”
The Algarve has six courses in the Top 100 golf courses in Continental Europe, and is considered the best golf destination in Continental Europe in the best value for money category. It also won the ‘best golf’ category in the ‘Publituris Portugal Travel Awards.’
Portugal also has been named as ‘Best Golf Destination of Europe’ in the World Travel Awards, the Oscars of Tourism, with the strong contribution of the Algarve’s 40 courses.