New Zealand celebrates award as top country for tourism

New Zealand has been honoured as being the leading country for tourism in the world by Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards 2008.

For five years now New Zealand has been voted by UK travellers in the top five countries internationally for its excellence in tourism.

The country’s tourism minister, Damien O’Connor, commented that the tribute paid to his country is a reflection of the “high-quality experience” that visitors are provided when they come to New Zealand. He added that industry operators should be “justifiably proud.”

O’Connor continued his remarks by saying: “With Tourism New Zealand’s latest $7.3 million campaign due to launch in the United Kingdom on Sunday, this is timely recognition that New Zealand continues to exceed the expectations of visitors from our second largest market. Our ability to continue to compete with other countries will depend on delivering a better product than our competitors, ensuring we are environmentally, economically, socially and culturally sustainable.”

New Zealand ranked ahead of India, Italy, Thailand and Brazil, the other tourist destinations making the top five for 2008.

The Auckland International Airport was voted as the sixth best airport internationally, and Air New Zealand was rated the sixth-favourite airline of UK travellers taking part in the survey.

www.cntraveler.com