Madeira was arguably the most notable Portuguese victor, beating off the likes of Mauritius, Bali, Maldives, Barbados and Crete to be elected the World’s Leading Island Destination.
Madeira has this year gone one better, building on its status as Europe’s top island destination in 2013 and 2014.
Other winners for Portugal were Sintra, with Parques da Sintra – Monte da Lua, named as the World’s Leading Conservation Company in 2015, an award it has now claimed for the third year running.
The Algarve was also called up twice to collect awards, with Conrad Algarve elected the World’s Leading Luxury Leisure resort for the third year running, having been chosen as the World’s Best New Resort in 2012.
Vila Vita Parc was meanwhile named as the World’s Leading Green Resort. The resort was chosen as Portugal’s Leading Green Resort in 2014, and has obviously built on its status since last year.
These awards came after Portugal performed strongly in the regional Europe awards in the autumn, walking away with a host of awards.
Elsewhere on the night, Abu Dhabi flag-carrier Etihad Airways has been awarded the title of World’s Leading Airline for the seventh consecutive year.
Also celebrating was Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaliah Suites, which took the double honour of World’s Leading Luxury Suites Hotel and World’s Leading Hotel Penthouse, while InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was recognised as the World’s Leading Luxury Resort.
The title of World’s Leading Tourist Attraction went to the Las Vegas Strip, while World’s Leading Fully Integrated Resort was awarded to Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa.
In the technology sector, Atlantis, Paradise Island, took the title of World’s Leading Hotel Website.
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It has been an honour to recognise the achievements of the global hospitality sector here at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco.
“Each of our Grand Final nominees has been recognised as a regional leader during our Grand Tour 2015, and this evening we were able to salute the best of the best – the elite of international tourism.
“My heartfelt congratulations go to each and every one of our recipients this evening, it is your hard work, dedication, initiative and investment that makes the tourism sector the success it is today.”
WTA Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities within the travel and tourism industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
Each year WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.