On the hotel side, the spotlight was shared between London, Greece and several historic capitals. The Chancery Rosewood in the British capital was crowned best new hotel, and AMOH, a Luxury Collection resort on the island of Rhodes, took the title of best new resort. In Scotland, the Fingal Hotel in Edinburgh was recognised as Europe's best boutique stay, and The Gritti Palace in Venice received the prize for the most romantic property.
Greece dominated several categories tied to leisure travel. Domes Noruz Chania in Crete was named best honeymoon hotel; the Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, also in Crete, best beach hotel; Ikos Odisia in Corfu, best all-inclusive proposition; and Sani Resort in Halkidiki, best family hotel. Avali, part of the Mar-Bella Collection, was singled out as the country's best boutique accommodation. Beyond the Mediterranean, the 1908 Lisboa Hotel stood out for its interior design, and Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in Ireland's County Cork led the island resorts.
Air transport had its moment too. Turkish Airlines was named Europe's leading airline, Volotea best low-cost carrier, and Zurich Airport the best on the continent. These distinctions underline how much connectivity shapes the traveller's experience.
Beyond the roll of winners, the gala offers a reading of the pulse of European tourism in a year defined by competition between destinations. The awards work as a promotional tool that administrations and companies later use in their campaigns, and the fact that Portugal and Greece gathered a large share of the trophies highlights the weight of southern Europe in leisure demand, especially in the beach, romantic getaway and family travel segments.
It is worth remembering that these honours stem from a voting process involving industry professionals and travellers, so they largely reflect the perception and visibility of each brand. That helps explain why destinations with a communication strategy sustained over time, such as Lisbon, tend to return to the top spots.
The contest is not over yet. The overall winners of this edition will be announced on 12 December at a gala in Tanzania, where the champions of the world's different regions will go head to head. Until then, the destinations and companies honoured in Montenegro will use the momentum to strengthen their positioning in a winter season in which European travellers are already starting to plan their next escapes.
For Lisbon, the double award arrives at a moment of particular exposure, with a highly rated cultural and culinary scene and a growing cruise business. For the sector as a whole, the night in Kotor leaves a sharp snapshot of where European visitors are looking today: towards cities with character, well-kept coastlines and accommodation that offers something more than a bed.
