Turismo Portugal and Faro Airport have both been honoured for the high quality of services and amenities they provide to tourists and airline passengers.
At a local level, during official celebrations for Dia do Município (Municipal Day), Faro Airport was awarded the gold grade merit medal. Expressing their excitement and gratitude for the award, the Faro Airport team said it was “a distinction that makes us very proud and motivated to continue to develop our region and the tourist sector”.
Internationally, during the 23rd session of the UNWTO General Assembly in St Petersburg in September, the organisation’s annual awards ceremony was marked by the launch of the Accessible Tourism Destinations (ATD) initiative. Organised by UNWTO in partnership with the Spanish non-governmental organisation ONCE, this new award recognises destinations that are “proactively working to make tourism more accessible to everyone, regardless of physical, sensory or cognitive abilities”.
Turismo Portugal was awarded the first international distinction (ATD2019) for its laudable efforts to ensure the destination can be enjoyed by all tourists. Announcing the award, the UNWTO noted, “In the last decade, Portugal has made outstanding efforts to make its tourism infrastructure, services and products more accessible nation-wide.”
Now in their 15th year, the UNWTO Awards are considered the flagship prizes for the global tourism sector. Since 2003, they have recognised the work of organisations and individuals around the world that “positively impact and inspire the tourism sector through innovation and knowledge”.
Another major award was presented to Spanish city San Sebastian for Public Policy and Governance, “for showing how tourism can be effectively managed to be sustainable and an effective tool for promoting and protecting local cultural heritage”. Destino Barcelona was also conferred a special mention as an exceptional urban tourism destination. (If you are planning to travel to Barcelona, check out our comprehensive Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport website.)
MyWay Service for Disabled Passengers
At Faro Airport, passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility have access to the free MyWay service, which is designed to provide assistance from check-in to boarding – and landing to the arrivals hall.
MyWay assistance has been established in accordance with European Union regulations, to provide comprehensive help by means of mechanical equipment including wheelchairs, escalators, travelators (moving walkways) and lifts, as well as appropriate escorting and support through the airport.
For more information about Faro Airport’s facilities for disabled passengers, click here.