Portugal has been voted as the "best world destination" for cooperative tourism and "best astrotourism destination" by Worldcob. It is the first time that Portugal has won these prizes, confirming the dynamism and quality of Portuguese tourism and more particularly of the Dark Sky association which promotes night tourism and sky observation. Indeed, the Dark Sky Alqueva association has won two other international prizes, and this time not only for the promotion of the quality of the sky in the territories next to the Great Lake of Alentejo, but for the commercial performance considered as " of excellence "in its activity. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about this worldwide recognition of Portuguese tourism.
Portugal elected “best world destination” for cooperative tourism and “best night sky-watching tourism” destination
The Dark Sky Alqueva association won two new awards, “The Bizz Award” and “The Peak of Success”, allowing it to become a “platinum” member of Worldcob, a commercial organization in the United States based in Houston (Texas), which has fostered the development of around 3,500 companies in over 120 countries that stand out in their fields of activity and also focuses on social responsibility.
The prizes now won by Dark Sky Alqueva will be awarded in person at the gala ceremonies scheduled for November 26 in Doha, Qatar (to be held at Marsa Malaz Kempinski) and May 28, 2021 in Kazakhstan (at the Sheraton Nur-Sultan), despite the uncertainties that still exist due to the circumstances of covid-19.
Emphasizing the "triumph" represented by the presentation of the The Bizz Prize, which opens the door to membership in Worldcob, Apolónia Rodrigues, President of the Dark Sky Association, stresses that "the recognition obtained will allow us to grow commercially", given the fact that "business creation among members" was privileged, in addition to promoting a "socially responsible corporate culture".
"The Dark Sky Association thus becomes a member of Worldcob alongside large companies", notes Apolónia Rodrigues, reiterating that for the Portuguese project which promotes tourist experiences in "the night sky" represents a leap in terms of "the capacity for commercial relations , generate more turnover and revitalize the image of the company. "
Portugal elected "best world destination" for cooperative tourism and "best night tourism destination"
BEST WORLD DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS TOURISM IN 2020
2020 started under the best auspices with several awards for Dark Sky Alqueva, which, on February 7, was distinguished as "the first tourist destination in Europe" at the Corporate Travel Awards of CEO Today magazine - which, in addition to "The starry sky of Alqueva" is also under the microscope "the white sandy beaches of the Maldives or the endless deserts of Dubai", as pointed out by Apolónia Rodrigues.
Dark Sky Alqueva was the first destination in the world for sky observation tourism in 2011, as a Starlight tourist destination, by the Starlight Foundation. From Alqueva, this astrotourism project has become cross-border, today integrating 10 municipalities in Portugal and 13 in Spain, and covering an area of around 10,000 square kilometers around the Great Lake of Alentejo.
The project has received successive international awards and has spread geographically across the country, today incorporating three brands which, in addition to Alqueva, also extend to Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto (fruit of the partnership with ADXTUR which coordinates the network of villages (in the center of the country) and Dark Sky Vale do Tua (in partnership with the association ADRVT).
According to Apolónia Rodrigues, the aim is to reach "a Portugal Dark Sky network" and to position the country as a "leading international destination in astrotourism".
