HERE are the FIVE Irish winners at World Travel Awards Europe

Five Irish winners have been successful at the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony was held in Sardinia, Italy.

Academic Tourist Attraction: Trinity College Dublin
Distillery Tour: Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Luxury Wedding Resort: Luttrellstown Castle Resort
Meetings & Conference Centre: The Convention Centre Dublin
Whiskey Distillery Tour: Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience

The irish winners now go to the World Travel awards final on December 6, 2025, at Exhibition World Bahrain. There were separate categories for each country, with their own individual list of national winners:

Winners in the Ireland category

Boutique Hotel: Castle Leslie Estate
Business Hotel: The Shelbourne
Car Rental Company: Hertz
Destination Management Company: Moloney & Kelly
Hotel Suite: House Presidential Suite @ Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
Hotel: Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
Luxury Hotel: Conrad Dublin
Online Travel Agency: Click&Go Holidays
Tour Operator: Finn McCools Tours
Travel Agency: Abbey Travel
Travel Management Company: Club Travel
Whiskey Distillery Tour: Teeling Whiskey Distillery

The industry elite gathered at Forte Village Resort on the idyllic Mediterranean island for the WTA Europe Gala Ceremony 2025. Portugal’ won the award for Europe’s Leading Destination and Lufthansa for airline of the year. Ocean cruise line was won by NCL and river cruise by Riviera. Europe’s best hotel was won by Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.

Madeira claimed Europe’s Leading Island Destination for its Atlantic archipelago.

Spain’s Huesca La Magia won Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, and Greece’s Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace earned Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.

Cannes triumphed as Europe’s Leading Festival & Event Destination, Madrid as Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, and Batumi as Europe’s Leading All-Season Destination.

The number of awards won by each country was: Greece 18, Portugal 18, Italy 15, Spain 8, France 8, Ireland 5, Türkiye 5, Switzerland 4, Netherlands 3, Croatia 2, England 2, Cyprus 2, Denmark 1, Armenia 1, Czech Republic 1, Georgia 1.

Drew Duggan shared “We are deeply honoured to be recognised as Academic Tourist Attraction. Trinity is a truly unique destination, and we are honoured to welcome visitors each day from all corners of the globe.”

Graham Cooke shared: “It has been a privilege to host our Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 on the beautiful island of Sardinia, which has hosted an incredible ceremony featuring the leading lights of travel from across the continent. Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark across our industry.”

Lorenzo Giannuzzi shared: “We are proud to have hosted the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2025, a world renowned and well-established celebration of excellence hospitality and travel. Partnering with such a prestigious organisation has been an honour, allowing us the opportunity to share our philosophy of authentic Italian hospitality and constant innovation. We were delighted to welcome so many professionals from across the hospitality world, whose presence made this occasion even more meaningful for all of us at Forte Village Resort. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Graham Cooke, for his vision and continued commitment to promoting excellence within our industry.”

Europe Category Winners from Ireland

Europe’s Leading Academic Tourist Attraction 2025: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university founded in 1592, houses the Book of Kells, a 9th-century illuminated manuscript, and the iconic Long Room library within its 47-acre city-centre campus. Tourism manager Drew Duggan is well knon in the industry and was formerly with Sunway. The site attracts over two million visitors annually for guided tours of its Georgian architecture, historic squares, and cultural treasures, serving as a key destination in Dublin’s tourism landscape.
Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour 2025: Teeling Whiskey Distillery, located in Dublin’s historic Liberties area, opened in 2015 as the city’s first new whiskey facility in over 125 years. It offers tours exploring small-batch production techniques, rum cask finishes, and tastings in a visitor centre that revives 18th-century urban distilling traditions, with a focus on innovative Irish whiskeys without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.
Europe’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort 2025: Luttrellstown Castle Resort spans 567 acres of private parkland near Dublin, featuring a 15th-century castle available for exclusive hire alongside a modern alpine-style clubhouse. The estate includes an 18-hole championship golf course and caters to weddings with opulent ballrooms, gourmet dining, and outdoor activities, blending historic grandeur with contemporary luxury.
Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2025: The Convention Centre Dublin, a carbon-neutral venue in the Docklands designed by architect Kevin Roche, overlooks the River Liffey and accommodates up to 8,000 delegates across 22 flexible spaces. It features advanced technology, a glass-fronted atrium with panoramic views, and sustainability measures, hosting international events since 2010.
Europe’s Leading Whiskey Distillery Tour 2025: Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience, in County Cork, occupies a historic site operational since 1825 and transformed into a visitor centre in 1992. Tours cover the production of Jameson, Redbreast, and Midleton Very Rare whiskeys, including guided walks through 19th-century warehouses, blending sessions, and tastings in a revamped facility with bars and a café.

Ireland Category Winners

Ireland’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2025: Castle Leslie Estate, on 1,000 acres in County Monaghan, is a family-owned 17th-century castle offering 21 unique bedrooms without modern distractions like televisions. The property includes woodland walks, a working farm, equestrian centre, and dining with local produce, providing a rural escape 80 minutes from Dublin.
Ireland’s Leading Business Hotel 2025: The Shelbourne, a 5-star hotel on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin, dates to 1824 and features 190 rooms with Italian linens and marble bathrooms. It offers four restaurants, a spa with an 18-metre pool, and a gym, serving as a historic hub for literary and social events in the city centre.
Ireland’s Leading Car Rental Company 2025: Hertz Ireland, operating for over 90 years, provides a fleet including economy cars like the Ford Fiesta and specialty vehicles across locations from Dublin to Cork. The company emphasises reliable service for business and leisure travellers, with options for cross-border travel into Northern Ireland for a fee.
Ireland’s Leading Destination Management Company 2025: Moloney & Kelly, established in 1970 and owned by the Abbey group since 2013 and headed up by John Healy, is based in Dublin with an Edinburgh office, specialises in incentive travel and luxury leisure packages for groups and individuals. As part of the Abbey Group, it designs bespoke itineraries across Ireland and the UK, partnering with networks like Virtuoso for VIP services and multilingual support.
Ireland’s Leading Hotel Suite 2025: House Presidential Suite @ Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, in Maynooth County Kildare, evokes Victorian grandeur with high ceilings, a four-poster bed, fireplace, and freestanding bath in a 240-square-metre space. Part of a historic estate, it includes modern amenities and views of the grounds, ideal for luxury stays near Dublin.
Ireland’s Leading Hotel 2025: Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, on a beachfront site in County Cork, offers 94 rooms with balconies overlooking the Atlantic and features a thermal spa with seawater pools and 21 treatment rooms. The resort includes indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, and dining with local seafood, twice named Ireland’s Leading Spa Resort.
Ireland’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2025: Conrad Dublin, opposite St Stephen’s Green, provides 192 spacious rooms with Irish art and Nespresso machines, some with balconies. The property includes three restaurants, a fitness centre, and concierge-curated experiences like distillery tours, blending historic influences with modern luxury in the city centre.
Ireland’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2025: Click&Go Holidays, Ireland’s top-ranked online agency headed by Paul Hackett, allows custom package bookings with €1 deposits for European trips over eight weeks in advance. It covers sun holidays, city breaks, cruises, and worldwide destinations from airports like Dublin and Cork, earning 5-star Trustpilot ratings for seamless service.
Ireland’s Leading Tour Operator 2025: Finn McCools Tours, owned by Willem van der Westhuiz and based in Dublin and Belfast, operates daily small-group day trips to sites like Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, and Game of Thrones locations. Founded in 2013, it emphasises off-the-beaten-path stops, knowledgeable guides, and 24-hour free cancellation for authentic Irish experiences.
Ireland’s Leading Travel Agency 2025: Abbey Travel, with over 40 years as Irish experts, operates four branches and specialises in Disneyland Paris, cruises, sports packages, and worldwide holidays. Founded by Con Horgan and now part of Liam Lonergan’s Club Travel Network, it won Ireland’s Leading Travel Agent at the World Travel Awards 2022, offering low deposits and monthly payments.
Ireland’s Leading Travel Management Company 2025: Club Travel: Liam Lonergan’s Club Travel, Ireland’s largest travel company with €200 million in sales and €50m reserves, employs 200 professionals across Dublin, Cork, Kerry, and Kildare. It handles corporate, consolidation, and retail travel, including sports packages, as the official RWC agent and part of a network with 44 years of experience.
Ireland’s Leading Whiskey Distillery Tour 2025: Teeling Whiskey Distillery, in Dublin’s Liberties, opened in 2015 as the first urban distillery in over a century, tracing roots to 1782. Tours highlight triple-distillation in unique pot stills, cask finishes, and non-chill-filtered whiskeys, with a visitor centre featuring a café and cocktail bar.
NI Leading Business Hotel 2025:The Merchant Hotel Belfast, a 5-star AA Red Star property in the Cathedral Quarter, occupies a Grade A-listed 1860 building with 62 rooms blending Victorian grandeur and Art Deco style. It features a spa, rooftop gym, three restaurants including a jazz bar, and the largest chandelier in Ireland.
NI Leading Car Rental Company 2025: Hertz in the six counties offers rentals from Belfast airports and city centres, with vehicles ranging from economy to SUVs and cross-border options into the Republic for a fee. The company provides reliable service for over 90 years, including Gold Plus Rewards for upgrades and flexible bookings.
NI Leading Destination Management Company 2025: Ruairí Ó hEara’s Tours of Derry, an award-winning DMC in Derry, crafts bespoke itineraries for groups, including walking tours of the walled city, Game of Thrones sites, and private coach services. It covers Northern Ireland and Donegal with transport, accommodation, and guides for events like conferences and weddings.
NI Leading Hotel 2025: Titanic Hotel Belfast, in the Titanic Quarter’s Harland & Wolff headquarters, features 119 rooms with nautical decor and 720 Titanic-era tiles. The 4-star property includes The Wolff Grill, Harland Bar, and spa, serving as a base for exploring the museum and shipyards.
NI Leading Resort 2025: Galgorm Resort, on 450 acres in County Antrim, offers 125 rooms, suites, and cabins with a Thermal Spa Village including riverside hot tubs and saunas. The 4-star property features AA Rosette dining, a championship golf course, and conference facilities 30 minutes from Belfast.
NI Leading Serviced Apartments 2025: Central Belfast Apartments provides self-catering units in city-centre spots like Citygate, with fully equipped kitchens, dishwashers, washing machines, and free parking. The 5-star rated properties suit business and leisure stays, offering housekeeping and proximity to attractions like Titanic Belfast.
NI Leading Tour Operator 2025: Brack Tours, founded and run by Peter Clark with 40 years in the industry, designs tailor-made packages for Ireland and Scotland, blending 4- and 5-star stays, unique experiences, and private drivers. Based in Newry with a US office, it customises for groups, focusing on history, gastronomy, and ancestry for memorable journeys.
NI Leading Travel Agency 2025: Oasis Travel, headed up by Sandra Corkoin, has branches in Lisburn, Belfast, Bangor, Holywood, Warrenpoint, and Hillsborough, has served customers for over 35 years. It offers expert advice on worldwide holidays, earning awards for personal service and value.