The European winners of the 2007 World Travel Awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as “the Oscars of the travel industry,” were announced at a glittering awards ceremony attended by 300 guests from 19 countries across Europe.
Amid stiff competition, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort, situated 50 minutes north of Lisbon on Portugal’s fabled Silver Coast, was crowned “Portugal’s Leading Resort.” www.praia-del-rey.com
“We are thrilled to win this prestigious award”, says Jorge Almeida, resort director of Praia D’El Rey. “It’s a recognition of the quality we offer, and also how the resort has grown over the last ten years to become probably Portugal’s best known golf resort outside the Algarve.”
This latest award caps a triumphant year for Praia D’El Rey – the resort was awarded Golf Resort of the Year – Europe 2007, by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators in March, and in September it celebrated the tenth anniversary of the opening of its now-famous 18 hole championship golf course, designed by world-renowned golf course architect Cabell B. Robinson.
Europe’s Leading Golf Resort was named as Fairplay Golf Hotel & Spa, Spain. This luxury 5 star suite hotel, set in the small and picturesque inland village of Benalup-Casas, Viejas opened in 2005. It is surrounded by a magnificent 18 hole golf course and is ideally located for visits to Gibraltar, Cà¡diz and Jerez. www.fairplaygolfhotel.com
Launched in 1993, the World Travel Awards acknowledge excellence in travel and tourism. Now, after fourteen years, both travel professionals and travellers alike regard the awards as an endorsement of quality. Votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries world wide.
World Travel Awards www.worldtravelawards.com