Travel Daily News: Europe’s top travel brands celebrated at World Travel Awards 2025 in Sardinia

The 2025 European edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) gathered leading representatives from the travel and tourism industry at Forte Village Resort in Sardinia to celebrate excellence across the sector. The ceremony marked the fourth stop of the WTA Grand Tour 2025, which recognises outstanding achievements in global travel and hospitality.

This year’s awards once again underscored the diversity and strength of Europe’s tourism landscape. Portugal was named Europe’s Leading Destination, while its island region Madeira earned Europe’s Leading Island Destination. Spain’s Huesca La Magia took home Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, and Greece’s Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace was recognised as Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.

In other destination categories, Cannes was voted Europe’s Leading Festival & Event Destination, Madrid secured the title of Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, and Batumi, Georgia, received the honour of Europe’s Leading All-Season Destination. Dublin achieved dual recognition, with Trinity College named Europe’s Leading Academic Tourist Attraction and The Convention Centre winning Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.

In the hospitality sector, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul was named Europe’s Leading Hotel. Greece’s Sani Resort earned Europe’s Leading Family Resort, while Ikos Odisia was voted Europe’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort. Italy’s Naturhotel Leitlhof received the sustainability distinction of Europe’s Leading Green Hotel, and Spain’s Kaizen Hoteles was recognised as Europe’s Leading Independent Hotel Group.

The aviation segment also saw several notable winners. Lufthansa was named Europe’s Leading Airline, Zurich Airport received Europe’s Leading Airport, and Swiss International Air Lines took double honours as Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class and First Class. THE LOFT by Brussels Airlines and Lexus was voted Europe’s Leading Airport Lounge.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “It has been a privilege to host our Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 on the beautiful island of Sardinia, which has hosted an incredible ceremony featuring the leading lights of travel from across the continent. Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark across our industry.”

Lorenzo Giannuzzi, Forte Village, CEO & General Manager, says: “We are proud to have hosted the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2025, a world renowned and well-established celebration of excellence hospitality and travel. Partnering with such a prestigious organization has been an honour, allowing us the opportunity to share our philosophy of authentic Italian hospitality and constant innovation. We were delighted to welcome so many professionals from across the hospitality world, whose presence made this occasion even more meaningful for all of us at Forte Village Resort. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Graham Cooke, for his vision and continued commitment to promoting excellence within our industry.”

The WTA Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 reflected both the continued recovery and innovation of the region’s travel sector, recognising organisations that contribute to the competitiveness and quality of Europe’s tourism offering.