Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort and the Hotel Quinta do Lago are among leading resorts in Portugal which have been nominated for their unique golf offering ahead of a spectacular awards ceremony set to take place in the Algarve next month.

The new Conrad Algarve will play host the World Travel Awards (WTA) Europe Ceremony 2012 on October 6th 2012, which will draw senior representatives from Europe’s finest travel brands.

Guests at the red-carpet event are being invited to participate in the WTA Europe Golf Classic tournament which will be played on the region’s finest championship course, Quinta do Lago South Course on the morning of the big ceremony.

Set in nearly 1,594 acres of pine forest and lakes on the Southern tip of Portugal, Quinta do Lago is bordered by mile upon mile of beautiful sandy beaches and the rugged beauty of the Ria Formosa National Park.

Designed in 1974 by William Mitchel, who introduced American-standard greens, tees and bunkers to the Algarve, the South Course has gained a reputation as one of the foremost courses in Europe and remains to this day one of the flagship European Tour Courses.

The WTA Europe Travel Golf Classic Tournament, which will include complimentary green fees, electric car hire, club hire, on course drinks, tournament prizes, buffet lunch and after-play drinks, aims to provide a unique networking opportunity for participants.

It will enable leading travel and tourism professionals attending the WTA Europe ceremony to experience the a 6,500 metre par 72 Quinta do Lago South Course- with all its additional challenges - first hand.

This is the latest golfing development for the Algarve, which boasts some of the world’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses located along to and close to the coastline.

Other popular golfing regions in Portugal include Lisbon Coast and Madeira.

Thanks to the warm climate, Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular golfing destinations. Despite the fact that there are only approximately 70 courses in the country, most of these have been built to an extremely high standard.

Next month Portugal’s best designed golf courses will go head to head when they compete for coveted World Travel Awards trophies.

Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort and Hotel Quinta do Lago, Portugal will battle it out against 12 of Europe’s most prestigious golf resorts for the title Europe’s Leading Golf Resort.

Meanwhile CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa; Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort; Hilton Vilamoura and Praia d’el Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort are among hotels that have been nominated for in the category of Portugal’s Leading Golf Resort.

Algarve set to host Portugal Masters

As if that wasn’t excitement enough, the Algarve is preparing to welcome the golfing elite to Portugal in October as it hosts the seventh edition of the Portugal Masters competition at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura from 11th to 14th October 2012.

Former World Number One, Martin Kaymer, is excited to return to Portuguese soil, he said: “I’m really looking forward to playing in Portugal again this year. I think it is one of the best golf courses we play all year and I always look forward to going back. It has a good prize fund, a good field and is a very important part of my schedule.”

“We can stay in the hotel on site and the course itself is excellent. I’ve finished seventh and eighth in the past and it’s good to know that I still have the course record at 11 under par from five years ago.”

The 27 year old German missed out on the Portugal Masters in 2007 with England’s Steve Webster taking the title.

However, Kaymer shows key potential with ten European Tour titles, a first Major Championship in the 2010 US PGA Championship, a winning Ryder Cup debut for Europe in Wales the same year and his elevation to World Number One in early 2011.

England’s Tom Lewis, last season’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, will also defend his title in the €2.25 million tournament, which will be an important factor in determining who will take ‘The Race to Dubai’ crown at the end of the season.

Kaymer can’t wait to get back to a venue and a tournament close to his heart. He added: “The field is strong, the crowds are usually great fun, the organisation is good and I always remember the Pro-Am being fun to play, so overall it is a very nice week. The whole combination of the hotel, the fans and the course means it is always a comfortable week and it helps me play well.”

For keen golfers hoping to enjoy the Portugal Masters action, the region is just a three hour flight direct from the UK into Faro.

Over seven UK airlines including Monarch, BA, Jet2, BMI, Ryanair and Easyjet serve the Algarve from 26 regional airports making the region one of the most accessible European golf destinations.

To find out which companies triumph during the World Travel Awards visit www.worldtravelawards.com.

World Travel Awards

The highlight of the tourism calendar for any region, the World Travel Awards will visit the Algarve later this month for the annual Europe Gala Ceremony.

Taking place at the new Conrad Algarve, the event will welcome the leaders of the European tourism industry to a red carpet event designed to select the best-of-the-best.

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: “We are delighted to host our first ceremony in the Algarve, a decision that reflects the crucial role that tourism plays in the region and its overall contribution to the Portuguese economy.”

He added: “The Algarve is also one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, and the new Conrad Algarve will set a new precedent for luxury in the region.

“Our Europe Ceremony will provide a perfect forum to showcase its facilities to travel’s top decision-makers.”

Take a look at the official site for more information.