The finest travel brands in Europe have been unveiled at a star-studded gala ceremony in Madeira.
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Winners at the red carpet reception included the enchanting city of St. Petersburg, Russia, voted ‘Europe’s Leading City Destination’.
Meanwhile Portugal reinforced its credentials as the country for everyone by emerging as ‘Europe’s Leading Destination’.
Madrid was named ‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’, whilst the captivating mix of Belle Époque meets contemporary splendour helped Batumi, Georgia, lift the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination’.
Hundreds of the leading travel industries figureheads from across the continent attended the ceremony at Belmond Reid’s Palace, the historic hideaway, set in verdant gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Madeira also made it onto the winner’s podium after picking up ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination’.
In the aviation sector, Aeroflot - Russian Airlines was named ‘Europe’s Leading Airline Brand’, Turkish Airlines scooped ‘Europe’s Leading Airline’, Swiss International Air Lines voted ‘Europe’s Leading Airline - Economy Class’ whilst TAP Air Portugal collected both ‘Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa’ and ‘Europe’s Leading Airline to South America’. Zurich Airport picked up ‘Europe’s Leading Airport’.
Hospitality winners included Hilton Hotels & Resorts, voted ‘Europe’s Leading Hotel Brand’ in this its centenary year, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, winner of ‘Europe’s Leading Business Hotel Brand’.
In the newcomer categories, InterContinental Sofia, Bulgaria was named ‘Europe’s Leading New Hotel’ and L’oscar Hotel London voted ‘Europe’s Leading New Boutique Hotel’.
Other winners included San Clemente Palace Kempinski, Venice (‘Europe’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort’), Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive Beach & Spa Resort, Portugal (‘Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort’).
Other winners included Venice Simplon Orient-Express (‘Europe’s Leading Luxury Train’), Turismo de Portugal (‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Board’) and The Algarve (‘Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’).
The VIP ceremony marked the fourth leg of the WTA Grand Tour 2019 – a search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world.
Other 2019 regional ceremonies include Montego Bay (Jamaica), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Mauritius, La Paz (Bolivia), Phu Quoc (Vietnam), with the winners progressing to the Grand Final in Muscat (Oman). ■