Portugal has been named ‘Best Tourist Destination in Europe’ in the European edition of the World Travel Awards 2022.

This is the fifth time out of the past six years that Portugal has received this accolade, according to a statement by the country’s economy ministry on Monday.

“The election is the result of voting by thousands of professionals from the sector, from all countries of the world, and this year Portugal collected more 30 awards, between destination, regions and products and services,” said the ministry of economy and maritime affairs.

In regard to regional destinations, the Azores was named Europe’s leading adventure tourism destination; the Algarve - Europe’s leading beach destination; Porto was named Europe’s leading city destination; and Lisbon has been voted Europe’s leading city break destination, Europe’s leading cruise destination and Europe’s leading seaside metropolitan destination, Yahoo News reports.

“The distinction, in more than three dozen categories in the European edition of the World Travel Awards 2022, takes on particular significance after the difficult years of the pandemic. It is with great pride that we see national tourism companies, professionals and entities being recognized by their peers at an international level. All players in the sector are to be congratulated for rising to this challenge which is to affirm Portugal as a tourist destination of excellence, whatever the circumstances,” said Portugal’s secretary of state for tourism, commerce and services, Rita Marques.

“World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence,” according to the awards’ website.

Last year, Portugal won over 24 awards in the European edition of the World Travel Awards.