The Algarve has come away with two global awards at the World Travel Awards, also known as the Oscars of the tourism industry.

Created in 1993, the World Travel Awards distinguishes the best examples of good practice in tourism on a global scale.

The awards ceremony took place in Lisbon on December 1, 2018, with the top awards going to the Vila Joya restaurant in Albufeira and the Conrad Hotel in Quinta do Lago, Almancil.

Conrad Hotel picked up the award for the World’s Leading Luxury Leisure Resort, while Vila Joya was distinguished with the award of the World’s Best Fine Dining restaurant in the world.

There were also awards for Portugal, with the country being recognised as the Best Destination in the World for the second consecutive year with Lisbon being voted as the Best Destination City and the Best Destination City Break in the world.

In total, Portugal won 16 awards, including one for Madeira for being the Best Island Destination, while the work of the tourism board was also acknowledged at the ceremony with Turismo de Portugal winning the Best Tourism Organisation in the world.

At European level, the Algarve has won eight prizes from the World Travel Awards with Quinta do Lago Hotel being awarded the Best Beach Resort and Vila Joya the World's Best Boutique Resort award. The Conrad Algarve has also won the award for best Lifestyle Resort.

As for the Ria Park Hotel in Almancil, it was doubly distinguished, in the European category, as both the Best Family Resort and Best Hotel for Conferences.

Finally, Vila Vita Parc, in Lagoa, won the prize for Europe's Leading Luxury Hotel Villas and the Dunas Douradas resort in Almancil was given the award for Europe's Leading Resort Villas (Best Villa Development in Europe).

The list is completed with Monte Santo Resort, in Carvoeiro (Lagoa), which was distinguished as the most romantic Resort in Europe.