For the first time, the Algarve has picked up the award for the Best Beach Destination in the World from the 2020 World Travel Awards.

Following being given the distinction at a European level, the Algarve has beaten off competition from around the world to be crowned the best beach destination, coming ahead of 18 other nominees which included destinations in the Maldives, Thailand, Jamaica, Mexico and the USA.
The award is being considered as a remarkable achievement, which takes on an even greater relevance in a year which has been particularly challenging for the travel industry, leading to destinations having to provide new solutions to encourage tourism while maintaining safety and security.
“Receiving this double distinction is, this year, more important than ever, since, as soon as the confidence levels for travel begin to increase, tourists will want to choose the destinations that offer the best guarantees”, said João Fernandes, president of Turismo do Algarve.

“The World Travel Awards brand is already a prestigious and quality seal recognised globally, so these awards give the Algarve invaluable added value”.
“It is with immense pride that the region receives this award for the first time worldwide, and also an enormous responsibility, which obliges us to continue to work constantly, to raise the standards of the tourist offer of our destination”, he concluded.
This year’s edition registered a record number of votes cast by tourism industry professionals and consumers, which translates into a promising indicator. “Despite the difficult challenges that the sector has been dealing with this year, we realise that the desire to travel remains, and is more alive than ever, which represents, for companies and professionals in this area, a fair recognition of their merit, a feeling of hope and a great incentive to continue working and to believe that tourism will be reborn and return even stronger”, said João Fernandes.