The winners of the 2023 World Travel Awards for Europe (World Travel Awards Europe 2023) were announced recently in Batumi (Georgia).
How interesting and useful is this for travel lovers to know? We do not know. Who compiles the rating and what useful information does it contain?
For example. Would you like to see the Eiffel Tower, Old Square in Prague, the Royal Palace in Stockholm, the old town in Tallinn, visit the Louvre and Hermitage museums? They are not on the list of this year's winners, but they are indeed very interesting places!
But, probably, a reminder of well-known attractions is not the purpose of the Tourism Award. Such places do not need advertising. But the tourism award can open up new tourist destinations for us, gives us the opportunity to learn about new directions in European tourism, and this is really interesting.
Europeans know well that Europe is much more diverse than any guidebooks, ratings, or expert recommendations. But, in our humble opinion, for American travelers and residents of Asian countries, any recommendations may be somewhat misleading when planning a trip to Europe.
We found it interesting that we should pay attention to Georgia and Armenia mentioned this year. (I myself have long dreamed of visiting Georgia, the cities of Tbilisi and Batumi, but so far this opportunity has not presented itself.)
In Georgia, the city of Batumi and the Batumi Botanical Garden received a tourism award.
Cognac producer ARARAT and the Seven Visions Hotel were spotted in Armenia.
But, in our opinion, in these countries you will find much more interesting for yourself.
The most popular tourist destinations in Europe, of course, have not lost their positions.
The most frequently mentioned winners of the World Travel Awards Europe 2023 were:
- Portugal (we counted 24 awards).
- Greece (we counted 21 awards).
- Italy - 12.
- Spain - 12.
- France - 10.
- Türkiye - 7.
(Some travel companies are difficult to assign to any one country, so the above numbers may not seem accurate to you, we apologize.)
Several of the leaders of European tourism 2023 (according to the World travel awards).
Europe's Leading Beach Destination 2023 - The Algarve, Portugal. (Is this really the best beach destination in Europe? 🤔)
Europe's Leading Honeymoon Resort 2023 - Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection, Greece. (Excellent choice, but every couple who honeymooned in Europe could probably give their own recommendations.)
Europe's Leading City Destination 2023 - Lisbon, Portugal. (There are so many interesting cities in Europe that we would not dare to single out just one, or even a hundred.)
Europe's Leading Luxury Beach Resort 2023 - Forte Village Resort, Italy. (We agree, Sardinia is a wonderful tourist destination, as is the rest of Italy. Look also towards the French Riviera.)
Europe's Leading Cultural Destination 2023 - Spain. (Spain will not be less interesting next year and will always remain an interesting cultural and educational destination, however, like many other European countries.)
Europe's Leading Festival & Event Destination 2023 - Cannes, France.
Europe's Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2023 - Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, Türkiye. (We know from personal experience that Turkey is a great place for a summer vacation.)
Europe's Most Romantic Hotel 2023 - Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, France. (Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to visit this hotel; it is a little too expensive for me now. 🙂)
Even such a prestigious and respected award as the World Travel Awards, which names many worthy representatives of the tourism industry every year, cannot cover everything. Europe is much more interesting, and there are many places in Europe that you will be interested in visiting.
On October 15, 2023, the Atlantis Royal Hotel (Dubai, UAE) will host an award ceremony for the winners of the Middle East, Indian Ocean, and Africa regions.