The appeal of Madeira as one of the world’s most sought-after islands for travelling golfers has been further enhanced after the destination claimed a memorable double at two of the global travel industry’s leading awards events.
In addition to being named as the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ for an amazing eighth consecutive year at the 2022 World Travel Awards, the popular Portuguese archipelago was voted as ‘Europe’s Best Cruise Destination’ at the 2022 World Cruise Awards.
Created in 1993, the World Travel Awards – which also organises the World Cruise Awards – are renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry, with votes being cast by travel industry professionals and the public to reward the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands.
Madeira’s regional director of tourism, Dorita Mendonça, was on hand to receive the latest World Travel Awards accolade at this month’s grand final in Muscat, Oman, extending a run that has seen Madeira win the honour every year since 2015.
And in a further boost, the idyllic islands also celebrated success at the World Cruise Awards for the first time in its burgeoning history, with the event recognising the work that has taken place in recent years under a new slogan ‘Your Safe Port’ to promote Madeira as a safe and secure destination to visit.
Between January and October 2022, the archipelago’s ports received 227 vessels in port and more than 250,000 passengers as visitors took the opportunity to take advantage of the quality of events and experiences on offer across the islands after the Covid-19 pandemic – including playing Madeira’s three world-class golf venues: Palheiro Golf, Clube de Golfe Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe.
Boasting a plethora of outstanding cultural, sporting and lifestyle attractions, Madeira’s annual calendar of events continues to delight visitors each year. From the colourful carnival to the emblematic Flower Festival, an unmissable event is never far away on the island. Madeira is also famed for its festive celebrations, with Christmas and a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display always an annual highlight.
Golfers have been flocking to Madeira in increasing numbers in recent years to play the island’s trio of diverse courses and with the Madeira Golf Passport – an innovation of Madeira. Belongs to all, the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau – guests can discover all three for one price.
The passport includes rounds at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf, while a premium package takes golfers to the exclusive Porto Santo Golfe for a unique experience set to the backdrop
of the vast Atlantic Ocean. All three courses are highly regarded among fans of the sport, contributing to the island’s growing reputation as a bucket-list destination for travelling golfers.
After a memorable day on the course or an unforgettable festival adventure, Madeira has no shortage of world-class accommodation for visitors to choose from. An eclectic range of luxury hotels, beautiful boutiques and coastal havens means the perfect room for any party is always waiting, whether guests want to stay in the capital city of Funchal or the stunning north-western countryside.
Located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – the island destination enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity, making it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.
And Madeira is easily accessible from all corners of the globe thanks to an increasing number of regular and affordable flights into Funchal Airport, just a short drive from the island capital.