Lisboa guarantees two ‘Oscars’ worldwide Tourism

Lisbon was voted Best Destination City and revalidated the title of World’s Best Destination ‘City Break’ at the so-called Tourism ‘Oscars’ ceremony, the World Travel Awards.

The two most ambitious ‘Oscars’ were presented at the Grand Final gala of the 25th edition of the World Travel Awards, which was held for the first time in Portugal, more specifically at the Pátio da Galé, in Terreiro do Paço, in Lisbon.

For the records, it is also the first time that Lisbon receives two world awards in the same year. In June, the Portuguese capital had been named Best Destination City in Europe.

In the race for the title of best destination city were Auckland (New Zealand), Cape Town, Dubai, Durban (South Africa), Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas (USA), London, Marrakesh (Morocco), Mazatlan (Mexico), New York (USA), Paris, Quito, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saint Petersburg (Russia) and Sydney (Australia).

In the category of City Break, Lisbon hit the cities of Athens, Cape Town, Cuenca (Ecuador), Dubai, Geneva (Switzerland), Hong Kong, Lima, Medellin (Colombia), New York (USA), Orlando (USA) ), Playa del Carmen (Mexico) and Sydney (Australia).

The director general of the Tourism Association of Lisbon, Vitor Costa, noted the “double dose of pride and satisfaction” for the capital to host the awards and “provide unique experiences to participants from all over the world as only Lisbon can.”

“On the other hand, we received two of the prizes most coveted by the main tourist destinations worldwide,” added the official, listing several areas in which Lisbon has been differentiated, such as reclassification of the heritage, promotion of the destination, improvement of cultural, gastronomic and tourist

These good practices in various fields are reflected “in the distinctions we receive,” Vitor Costa noted, quoted in a statement, asserting that “quality of life has increased exponentially in Lisbon and Tourism is the great engine of this change.”

Lisbon was still in the ‘Oscars’ race at destination and cruise port level and through five hotel appointments.

For its part, the Sintra Parks was elected as the “Best Company in the World in Conservation” for the sixth consecutive year.

Sofia Cruz, chairman of the Parks de Sintra Board of Directors, said in a statement that this sixth award “is an honour” and “reinforces the conviction” that the best management model is followed, which allows dignifying and promoting valence heritage.

The Sintra Parks is a public capital company, which does not receive funding from the State Budget, and which has Pena Park and National Palace in its custody; the National Palaces of Sintra and Queluz; the Chalet of the Countess d’Edla; the Castle of the Moors; the Palace and Gardens of Monserrate; the Capuchos Convent and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.

The voting for the World Travel Awards, created in 1993, is conducted by the general public and by tourism professionals.

The nominees for the grand finale of the prize are the winners of the regional finals, joined by others nominated by the WTA itself.