TAP Air Portugal won three World Travel Awards this weekend, being named Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa, Europe’s Leading Airline to South America, and Leading Inflight Magazine for UP. The awards, considered the "Oscars" of world tourism, were held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Portugal was named Best Destination in Europe, the first time the country has received the honor. Moreover, Portugal also won the most awards overall, with 37 awards ranging from Best Cruise Port (Lisbon), Leading Island Destination (Madeira), Best Beach Destination in Europe (Algarve) and Best European Tourism Entity (Turismo de Portugal).

Launched in 1993, the World Travel Awards were created with the aim of acknowledging, rewarding and celebrating the pursuit of excellence in all travel and tourism industry sectors across the globe. Voted among some of the best known airlines worldwide, TAP’s election resulted from an online voting process, mainly by trade professionals in travel and tourism around the world, such as travel agents, operators and tourism organizations from more than 100 countries and by the general public as well.

TAP’s 2017 awards now join the airline’s previous World Travel Award wins, including Europe’s Leading Airline to both Africa and South America in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the World's Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and also the title of World's Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. UP magazine was also celebrated as Europe’s Leading Inflight Magazine both in 2015 and 2016.