Turismo Centro de Portugal received the best Regional Tourism Body in this year's edition of the AHRESP Awards held on 30 May, in Lisbon.

"2017 was a sensitive year for the Central region of Portugal. Sharing was one of the methods we used to end it in the way we did and to think optimistically about the future", stressed the president of Turismo Centro de Portugal. Pedro Machado received the award and shared it with the various public figures present at the ceremony.

The initiative "The Day After - One Night for All", promoted by Grupo Visabeira and in which Turismo Centro de Portugal was also involved, won 1st Prize in the Solidarity Projects category. It should be remembered that this initiative reopened the legendary Viseu nightclub for one night, in an act of solidarity whose proceeds went to the victims of the fires of October 2017.

Beirão D'Honra won 1st Prize in the Product or Service of the Year category. The product in question was the launch of a new Licor Beirão, from Lousã, which was a huge success.

1st Place in the category Contribution to the Defence of Gastronomy as National Heritage went to the Portuguese Federation of Gastronomic Fraternities, which maintains close cooperation with the Center of Portugal.

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, received the Excellence Award and the vice-president of the Portuguese Industrial Association, Vítor Neto, received the Career Award.

The AHRESP Awards recognise the Best of the Year in the Hospitality, Tourism Promotion, and Catering sectors in Portugal and are promoted by the Portuguese Associação da Hotelaria, Restauração e Similares. The winners are chosen by the public through an online vote.