Madeira was both stage and star of this month’s 2024 World Golf Awards and World Travel Awards, celebrating a stunning eight accolades across two illustrious ceremonies at the Savoy Palace, Funchal.
On a night to remember on November 22, Madeira was named ‘World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination’ for its trio of acclaimed venues – Clube de Golf Santo da Serra, Palheiro Golf and Porto Santo Golfe – underlining exactly why it was selected to host the golf industry’s annual showpiece event.
Two days later, the World Travel Awards crowned its host as the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination,’ topping a shortlist of iconic locations from across the globe and marking Madeira’s win of the honour for a staggering ten consecutive years.
A culmination of Madeira’s rise to the pinnacle of the golf and tourism sectors, the weekend’s double feature was the first time that the annual World Golf Awards and World Travel Awards have been hosted by the same city, and the first time both have been held in Europe since 2018.
There was particular cause for celebration for Santo da Serra, a 27-hole masterpiece designed by the inimitable Robert Trent Jones. The breathtaking fourth hole on the Machico course was named ‘World’s Best Par 3 Hole’, while the club’s state-of-the-art irrigation was recognised with a win in the ‘World’s Best Sustainable Water Capture Course System’ category.
Meanwhile, Palheiro Golf was also awarded the title of ‘World’s Best Panoramic Clubhouse’. Home to the Vista Balancal restaurant, Palheiro’s clubhouse has received plaudits since opening for its sweeping views overlooking the Cabell B. Robinson course and city of Funchal.
This has been a landmark year for Madeira, with the destination also being crowned ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination’ in March, as well as Porto Santo celebrating being named ‘Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’, and the Madeira Promotion Bureau earning the prestigious title of ‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Board’.
Eduardo Jesus, regional secretary of Economy, Tourism and Culture and president of the Madeira Promotion Bureau, said: “We are immensely proud to look back on one of the biggest weeks in the history of Madeira golf and tourism. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, both events were a major success, and we are particularly pleased to be the first destination to host both events in the same year.
“Special congratulations must go to Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf for their richly deserved wins.”
The archipelago’s newfound status as a mecca of global golf will take another leap forward in 2026 when a fourth course, designed by Major winner and Ryder Cup legend Sir Nick Faldo, opens at Ponta do Pargo. Visiting golfers can take advantage of the Madeira Golf Passport to experience the destination’s full golf offering at one price.
For more information on Madeira visit www.visitmadeira.com
