Portugal, Spain and Georgia join Greece in dominating the 2025 World Travel Awards in Europe, receiving recognition for their unique destinations and tourism services.

Posted on November 1, 2025

Portugal, Spain and Georgia are set to join Greece in the dominant showing at the World Travel Awards Europe 2025. These countries have received prestigious recognition for their exceptional destinations and outstanding tourism services. Their inclusion highlights their growing influence in the global travel landscape, as their unique cultural offerings, landscapes and warm hospitality continue to attract travelers from around the world. This recognition underscores their commitment to enhancing the travel experience, blending tradition with innovation, and pushing the European tourism sector to new heights.

Greece stole the spotlight at the 32nd World Travel Awards (WTA) in Europe, where the country’s hotels, businesses and destinations were honored for their exceptional service and unique offerings. The event, held in Sardinia, Italy, brought together prominent figures from the travel industry to celebrate the best in the industry. Known as the “Oscars of the travel industry”, the World Travel Awards have been honoring excellence in tourism since 1993, with winners selected based on the votes of travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers.

In this year’s edition, Greece emerged as a prominent country, winning an impressive 20 European awards, in addition to 35 national awards. This recognition has highlighted Greece’s continuing appeal as a first-class travel destination, with its vibrant culture, rich history and diverse landscape playing a pivotal role in these awards. From its bustling capital to its enchanting islands, Greece has demonstrated its unparalleled standing in Europe’s tourism scene.

Athens, the country’s distinctive capital, has earned the title of Europe’s leading cultural city, a testament to its blend of ancient heritage and modern vitality. The city’s wealth of historical sites, including the Acropolis and Parthenon, coupled with its thriving arts and cultural scenes, make it a beacon for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in history and contemporary culture. The award confirms the attractiveness of Athens as a cultural center that attracts visitors from all over the world to experience its timeless beauty.

In addition, the This Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau has been named Europe’s Leading City by Tourism Board. The office has worked tirelessly to enhance Athens’ global tourism presence, offering a wide range of services to leisure and business travellers. The award highlights Athens’ growing reputation as a major destination for conferences, exhibitions and other events, contributing to strengthening its position as one of Europe’s leading cities in the field of tourism.

The region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace was another major winner, recognized as Europe’s leading emerging tourism destination. This award reflects the region’s growing importance in the travel industry, offering visitors a variety of experiences. From its stunning coastlines to its rich cultural heritage, East Macedonia and Thrace is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for those looking to explore Greece beyond the well-known places.

At the national level, many Greek destinations have received prestigious titles. Thassos has been named Greece’s Leading Authentic Island Destination for 2025, in recognition of its pristine beauty and authentic Greek charm. Known for its clear waters, lush greenery, and traditional villages, Thassos is a prime example of the timeless appeal of the Greek islands. The Ionian Islands, famous for their stunning landscapes and charming towns, have been recognized as Greece’s leading island destination for 2025. These islands, including Corfu and Kefalonia, have long been favorite locations for those looking for a more relaxed and equally enriching Greek experience.

Mani, located in the southern part of the Peloponnese, has been named Mainland Greece’s Leading Destination for 2025. With its rugged mountains, traditional stone villages and stunning coastline, Mani offers an authentic slice of Greece, making it an ideal destination for adventurous travellers. This recognition highlights the growing popularity of mainland Greece as a unique alternative to a more traditional island escape.

Greece’s success at the World Travel Awards was not limited to its destinations; Its travel companies also received significant attention. Avis, the leading car rental company, has been named the best car rental company in Greece. With its strong reputation for reliable service and wide range of vehicles, Avis continues to play a crucial role in enhancing the travel experience for tourists exploring Greece.

Mideast Travel Worldwide has been honored as the Best Destination Management Company and Travel Management Company in Greece. The company’s ability to tailor experiences to the specific needs of travelers has made it a major player in the Greek tourism sector. Bookgreece.com, an online travel agency, is rated best in class, making it easy for travelers to book their Greek adventures with ease. Luxury Travel DMC, a destination management company focused on high-end tourism, was also recognized as the best travel agency in Greece, serving luxury travelers looking for personalized experiences.

While Greece took home a large share of the awards, other European destinations also shined brightly at the event. Portugal’s tourism strengths were highlighted by the prestigious title of ‘Europe’s Leading Destination’, while its picturesque Atlantic archipelago, Madeira, was named ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination’. Spain’s Huesca la Magia region, with its vast landscapes and rich cultural offerings, has been recognized as Europe’s leading adventure tourism destination, demonstrating the region’s appeal to adventure seekers.

The French city of Cannes has been named Europe’s leading festival and events destination, a reflection of its world-famous film festival and vibrant cultural scene. Madrid, Spain, has been recognized as Europe’s leading meetings and conference destination, cementing its position as the top choice for business events. Batumi, Georgia, has been named Europe’s leading all-season destination, confirming its year-round appeal for tourists.

Dublin, Ireland, enjoyed a double win in the event. Trinity College has been named Europe’s Best Academic Tourism Attraction, in recognition of its historical importance and role as a major destination for educational tourism. The Dublin Conference Center was also awarded the best meeting and conference venue in Europe, highlighting the city’s growing importance as a hub for international events.

Portugal, Spain and Georgia join Greece in dominating the 2025 World Travel Awards in Europe, receiving recognition for their unique destinations and exceptional tourism services that continue to attract global travellers.

The 32nd World Travel Awards highlight the best in European tourism, with Greece leading the way with its award-winning destinations and travel services. This recognition is a testament to the country’s status as a global tourism powerhouse, as it continues to attract visitors with its rich culture, stunning landscapes and world-class hospitality.