New Zealand Named Best Tourist Destination
New Zealand has been voted as Telegraph reader’s favourite country at the Telegraph Travel Awards 2014, for the third year running. Almost 90,000 people voted for their favourite travel companies and destinations, making it the most comprehensive, wide-ranging and reliable reader travel survey in the world.
“This is the third year in a row that the Land of the Long White cloud has thrown its fluffy shadow over the Telegraph Travel Awards”, says Ben Ross, Telegraph Travel’s head of print.
“Perhaps it’s because New Zealand is a country that delivers almost everything a traveller could want in one easy-to-use package.
“This is a place where British tourists can enjoy the thrill of long-haul travel, coupled with the reassurance of being greeted in our native tongue – albeit spoken with that characteristic twang. It also thrusts dramatic scenery at us, wherever we turn.
“Who could fail to thrill to Milford Sound’s epic vistas, or the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park?”
Responding to the news, Prime Minister John Key described the result as “a great accolade.”
“Tourism forms a significant part of our economy and this award is a great credit to Tourism New Zealand and the work they do,” says Mr Key.
“We believe one of the real strengths of the tourism experience in New Zealand is that it lives up to the hype. Too often people go to a destination where ultimately it is never as good as the brochure, whereas in New Zealand we think people come and get an experience that is better than the brochure.”
Mr Key says tourism is a significant part of New Zealand’s economy, and is a major employer.
“The Government recognises this, and that’s why we have invested an unprecedented $600 million in tourism and tourism promotion since 2008.
“That investment is getting results. Some 2.8 million people visited New Zealand during the last year, spending over $7 billion. Tourism directly employs 4.7 per cent of the New Zealand workforce and indirectly employs another 3.6 per cent.”
The awards ceremony was held at Banking Hall in central London. It was introduced by Charles Starmer-Smith, Group Head of Travel, and the presentations were made by Charles Starmer-Smith, the actor and comedian, who was the guest speaker.
He presented awards in a variety of different categories, ranging from best tour operator to best hotel group.
See the full list of winners here.
Originally published on The Telegraph
Photo credit: Richard Young
