Algarve’s Zoomarine Wins Global Luxury Theme Park Award for Second Year

It is not every day that a park covering barely 23 hectares outshines the Disney and Universal empires, yet that is precisely what happened again this year in the Algarve. Zoomarine has just repeated last year’s feat by taking the top spot in the Theme Park race at the World Luxury Travel Awards, reminding both locals and visitors that Portugal can set benchmarks in leisure without compromising its environmental soul.

Why International Travelers Voted for Portugal's Sea-Life Champion

Winning once can be called luck, but a second consecutive win points to something deeper. In ballots cast by more than 100,000 voters from 120 countries, the Algarve attraction beat global heavyweights in the Theme Park category. Industry observers say the victory strengthens Portugal's tourism brand because the award factors guest satisfaction, service quality and a visible marine conservation message, all wrapped in genuinely family-friendly credentials. Many respondents praised how staff switch seamlessly between English, Portuguese, French or Spanish, a multilingual touch that keeps queues moving and explanations clear at feeding times or ride entrances.

From Dolphin Encounters to Solar Panels: What Makes Zoomarine Different

At one end of the park, children squeal as bottlenose dolphins kick up spray during the signature Ocean Emotions show; at the other, 2 550 rooftop panels soak up Algarve sunshine, covering over 50 % of the park’s electricity needs. That neat juxtaposition between spectacle and sustainability underpins the award jury’s verdict. Beyond high-energy rides, visitors can join behind-the-scenes sessions where veterinarians demonstrate ultrasound scans on rescued sea turtles. Meanwhile, a 4.7 km sea-water pipeline and a €130 000 water-recycling system ensure 90 % of irrigation relies on non-potable sources. If you need a breather, the site’s giant wave pool doubles as Portugal’s largest artificial beach and employs biodegradable filtration media instead of micro-plastics. All these details turn a casual day trip into what some guests call a "mini-degree in ocean literacy".

A Ripple Effect on the Algarve Economy

Tourism chiefs say accolades translate quickly into hotel bookings. In 2024 the park welcomed 668 000 guests and management forecasts a 4 % uptick this season, numbers that spill into restaurants from Albufeira’s marina to Guia’s chicken grills. Economists at the University of the Algarve estimate €60 M in indirect spending is linked to Zoomarine visits, including overnight stays, car rentals and even off-season language courses taken by repeat holiday-makers. The business itself reinvested €3 M ahead of its March 2024 reopening, commissioning local builders for ride upgrades and sourcing electric-vehicle charging stations from a factory in Aveiro, evidence that the trophy is more than a wall ornament.

How the Park Turns Holidays into Ocean Advocacy

Zoomarine’s in-house rehab centre Porto d’Abrigo has returned 300+ injured animals—from loggerhead turtles to stranded dolphins—to the Atlantic since 2002, making it Portugal’s first marine-life ER. In October 2024 two turtles, Maya and Vega, splashed back into open water with satellite tags that will beam data to researchers for months. Off-site, the travelling classroom EDUCar parks at schools and shopping centres, letting children simulate removing fishing hooks from a plastic dummy turtle. The park’s annual Operação Praia Limpa beach sweep has already pulled 2.8 tonnes of litter from local coves. Crucially, all these activities are covered by the same admission ticket, turning casual fun into hands-on conservation without an extra euro spent.

What’s Next: Expansion Plans and New Educational Drives

Director Tiago Pierotti hints that 2026 will bring an immersive cold-water habitat starring Macaroni penguins, built with modular glass that halves energy loss compared to traditional acrylic. The park is also negotiating a research tie-up with the Marine Megafauna Foundation to study manta rays off the coast of Sagres. On the tech side, an updated app arriving this winter will push personalised tips in Portuguese or English, nudging visitors toward less crowded areas and thereby trimming wait times and carbon-heavy idling. If plans stay on track, Zoomarine aims to raise its renewable share to 70 % by 2028, cementing the idea that first-place trophies are best celebrated not with fireworks, but with quieter reefs and cleaner beaches.