Madeira reelected the world’s leading island destination in 2020

For the sixth consecutive year, Madeira Destination was elected by the World Travel Awards as the World´s Leading Island Destination 2020, in those that are considered to be the“ Oscars of tourism ”, in a gala that was held in virtual format in Moscow, due to the coronavirus (covid-19) global pandemic.

This award, once again, reinforces the prestige and international positioning of Madeira Destination, after having already won the award for "Europe’s Leading Island Destination" on the 1st of November of 2020.

 

Visit this destination recognized for its excellence!

Source: VisitMadeira and WTA

Portugal’s Madeira, Lisbon and Algarve named World’s Leading Destinations at the World Travel Awards 2020

Once again, Madeira was named the World’s Leading Island Destination, at the 2020 World Travel Awards, which also recognized Lisbon as the World’s Leading City Break Destination and the Algarve as the World’s Leading Beach Destination. 

The Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, considers that “overcoming all constraints, we preserve the reputation and notoriety of our destinations”. “We show the world that we are a safe country, ready for everyone to receive, when possible. Thank you very much to all the Portuguese, who contributed so that Portugal continues to be among the best”, she added. 

Considered the ‘Oscars’ of tourism, the World Travel Awards have been awarded annually, since 1993, by industry professionals on a worldwide scale, distinguishing the work developed in the tourism industry in order to stimulate the competitiveness and quality of tourism. 

Bellow’s the complete list of awarded prizes to Portugal at the World Travel Awards 2020:

World's Leading Island Destination 2020	Madeira Islands
World's Leading City Break Destination 2020	Lisbon, Portugal
World's Leading Beach Destination 2020	The Algarve, Portugal
World's Leading Airline to Africa 2020	Tap Air Portugal
World's Leading Airline to South America 2020	Tap Air Portugal
World's Leading Inflight Magazine 2020	Up Magazine (TAP Air Portugal)
World's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2020	Passadiços do Paiva (Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark), Portugal
World's Leading Conservation Company 2020	Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua, Portugal
World's Leading Tourism Development Project 2020	Dark Sky Alqueva, Portugal and Spain
World's Leading Classic Hotel 2020	Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Portugal
World's Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2020	Vila Joya Hotel Restaurant @ Vila Joya, Portugal
World's Leading Golf & Villa Resort 2020	Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Portugal
World's Leading Luxury Leisure Resort 2020	Conrad Algarve, Portugal
World's Leading Wine Region Hotel 2020	L'AND Vineyards, Portugal
World's Leading Boutique Hotel Operator 2020	Amazing Evolution Management

Try the most famous of the Azores cheeses: São Jorge Cheese!

©Turismo dos Açores | Publiçor

Considered to be the best cheese in the Azores, the cheese from the island of São Jorge has gradually gained an important international reputation and is now exported to several countries, where it is greatly appreciated for the spicy flavour that it acquires over time, making it a most tasty snack. 

Consisting of a hard or semi-hard paste, between 7 and 12 kilos in weight and with a powerful aroma, the cheese of São Jorge is a delight for all of its many appreciators, who frequently also use it for cooking purposes, in dishes that range from the most simple to the most sophisticated.

©Turismo dos Açores | Publiçor

It is cured for several months in rooms that are kept at a constant temperature and its manufacturing process still follows the traditional artisan methods and the same initial formula. It is made at small farms dotted all over this island, which is yet another excellent reason for travelling to all of the island’s main viewpoints.

Velas and Calheta are the main cities, but from Pico da Esperança you can see all the other islands in the central group of the archipelago.

Find more information at:
- São Jorge: the island of fajãs
- The Gastronomy of the Azores
- Pico, Faial and São Jorge – the “Triangle Islands”
- São Jorge cheese, a product with almost 500 years of production

Algarve: New "Nature Tourism Junior Guide"

With the new "Junior Nature Tourism Guide" of the Algarve, exploring the natural world as a family has never been such fun. 

The guide with 9 chapters, guides the reading of children to what they really need to know about the Algarve Nature, when they make field trips with the family. 

As you go through the guide, the children will find 16 missions that they will have to complete, in order to earn the diploma of "Nature Explorer of the Algarve" .

Download the guide here

"Embrace you soon" by Center of Portugal

The time has come for the journey to start all over again. We are making the destination safe for you, for all of us. We miss you and the best way to show you this is our full commitment to your safety. Play it safe, as if your life depended on it. Because it does. No arms are needed to feel truly embraced and welcomed by a destination. It's all about the way we take care of one another. We will embrace you soon. When all this is over.

Find out more at: https://embraceyousoon.com/

Source: TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal

Porto Santo Elected as Unesco Biosphere Reserve

PPorto Santo Island is part of UNESCO's World Biosphere Reserve Network, totalling 27 310 hectares of protected areas as well as Natura 2000 Network areas, in Porto Santo.

With more than 2110 species, some exclusive to the island, ecosystems, natural and built landscapes, considered to be unique, the application by the golden island fits within the guidelines of the “Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme”, in an initiative carried out by the City Council of Porto Santo, Regional Directorate for the Public Administration of Porto Santo, Forestry and Nature Conservation Institute, Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources, Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of the Autonomous Region and the Porto Santo Folklore Group Association, along with the participation of the community throughout the different stages of development of the process.

With this registration, the number of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves in the UNESCO World Network rises to 12, consisting of more than 700 reserves.

 

Biosphere Reserves are defined by UNESCO as “living laboratories, where the main functions are the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems and species, as well as the sustainable development at social, economic, cultural and ecological levels, acting as platforms for research, monitoring , education and awareness ”.

Find more information at:
- Porto Santo Reserva da Biosfera
- VisitMadeira
- Unesco

Source: VisitMadeira and UNESCO

The Algarve was named "Europe's Leading Beach Destination 2020" by the World Travel Awards.

The Algarve is once again distinguished as the “Leading Beach Destination in Europe”, in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards.

This is the seventh time (third time in a row) that the destination wins the nomination from leaders of the tourism and travel industry from around the world who vote to reward the best tourism offer at a global level.

The Algarve was one of the first European regions to open its beaches in 2020, guaranteeing all safety conditions. “Strengthening the security of the destination and regaining the confidence of tourists has been our priority since the beginning of the pandemic”, explains João Fernandes, Algarve Tourism President.

 “There was a great mobilization and a joint effort by the whole region in this regard, which proved to be essential to consolidate and transmit an image of confidence. Receiving this international distinction thus validates all that work and proves that the destination can adapt to new circumstances, without altering the quality and authenticity of experiences for tourists.”

The beauty and diversity of the beaches in the Algarve, the year-round sunshine and the perfect conditions for water sports are the characteristics most valued by visitors. In addition, the region boasts 87 blue flag beaches; 48 beaches with the necessary accessibility for people with disabilities; the implementation of good environmental practices with regard to the cleaning and preservation of the beaches and the availability of good quality infrastructures and support services.

It is a combination of all these attributes, that has led to the Algarve being distinguished, over the last few years, as “Leading Beach Destination in Europe”. This has enabled Turismo do Algarve to capitalize on the loyalty of priority strategic markets, and to diversify into other new markets. “More than just a beach destination our complementary offer is very rich and diverse - ranging from golf, nautical tourism and nature tourism, to culture and gastronomy in the region. 

In this way, we have managed to allow tourists to discover a series of other experiences and end up being surprised by a destination that proves to be unique and genuine”, reveals João Fernandes.

Source: Algarve Promotion Bureau - ATA; VisitAlgarve;  WTA