News

For the fifth year in a row, Portugal has been named both the ‘World’s and Europe’s Best Golf Destination’ at the World Golf Awards, considered the ‘Oscars’ of the golf industry.

The Algarve also emerged victorious as Vila Nova de Cacela’s Monte Rei Golf & Country Club was named ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Course’ while Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa was considered ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel’.

The award ceremony was held last weekend at the La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain.

Portugal’s tourism authority, Turismo de Portugal (TP), has celebrated the country’s success at the awards and highlighted the investment that has been made in the national golfing sector.

In a statement, TP said that Portugal’s “climate, culture, gastronomy, wines, beaches, history, variety of landscapes and hospitality are differentiating factors that make Portugal a top destination for golfing which is proved by the many prizes it has won over the years”.

National tourism boss Luís Araújo also commented on the importance of golf to the country’s tourism sector, naming the sport as one of the key reasons holidaymakers travel to Portugal outside of the summer months.

Most of the golfers who travel to Portugal come from the UK (around 50%), followed by Sweden (11%), Germany (5%) and Ireland (5%).

According to data provided by TP, there are 91 golf courses in Portugal, most of which are in the Algarve, followed by Lisbon.

The World Golf Awards have been held since 2014 and “celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations.”

Votes are cast by professionals working within the golf industry and by the public.

The full list of this year’s winners can be found online.

https://worldgolfawards.com/winners/2018

michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com

Posted by PORTUGALPRESS on November 05, 2018