World Travel Awards: the most beautiful city in Europe

The most important awards in the tourism industry were awarded in Sardinia, Italy, during the World Travel Awards gala that has come to its 23 edition. The of the best 2016 European tourist destination trophy category was received by the same city who managed to also win the votes of worldwide specialists in 2015.

Saint Petersburg has been awarded this important recognition, becoming once again the leading European destination, with Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development Chairman, Andrey Mushkarev, collecting the trophy at a glittering ceremony in Italy.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It has been a pleasure to recognize some of the best in European hospitality here at Forte Village Resort this evening. Our voters have selected the best-of-the-best in this exceedingly competitive market and I offer my sincere congratulations to our winners following their success this evening.”

Madeira in Portugal was given the award of the European Island of the Year, while the French city of Lyon was selected as the winner in the category of Best Destination city-break, competing with formidable destinations such as Rome, Madrid, London, Lisbon or Berlin. Portugal received the trophy for best beach destination of the year for the Algarve resort, also competing against extremely popular holiday destination such as Mallorca, Spain and Corfu in Greece.

Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, was presented with the trophy for Europe's Leading Luxury City Resort. In the aviation sector, Lufthansa defended its title of Europe’s Leading Airline.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.