New Zealand has reclaimed its position as the world’s best country, according to the Telegraph Travel Awards, with India making a significant leap to third place in the last readers' poll, Stuff has reported.
More than 20,000 readers of the UK’s Telegraph participated in the annual survey, voting across a range of travel categories including best countries, cities, airlines, and cruise lines. New Zealand, which had previously slipped to second place in the last edition of the awards, returned to the top spot – a position it has dominated for over a decade since 2012.
Editors at The Telegraph attributed New Zealand’s temporary fall in rankings to the COVID-19 pandemic, which left the country closed off to the rest of the world until well into 2022. They noted that with international travel back to relative normality, New Zealand was once again on top, with its “fjords cut into the west flank of the South Island, the vineyards fluttering around Marlborough, Aoraki/Mount Cook in its snowy might, and vibrant dining scenes in Auckland and Wellington” continuing to captivate global travellers.
The publication also released a list titled “10 reasons why New Zealand is the best country on Earth”, highlighting attractions such as the Great Walks, cycling trails, Māori and Polynesian culture, and the country’s renowned dark sky sanctuaries. Editors remarked that while other destinations had become “less welcoming, more violent, too hot, or too polluted,” New Zealand continued to offer a safe and friendly experience for visitors.
India saw a remarkable rise in the rankings, climbing from eighth place in the previous poll to third this year. Japan rose from fourth to second, while South Africa, which had topped the list previously, dropped to fourth place. Other notable movements included Peru, which jumped from 25th to seventh, while Seychelles dropped off the list entirely after being ranked 15th last year.
In other categories, Cape Town was voted the world’s best city, Emirates took the title for best long-haul airline (with Air New Zealand slipping two spots to ninth), Princess Cruises was named the best large-ship ocean cruise line, and Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers won the best river cruise award.
New Zealand
Japan
India
South Africa
Australia
Greece
Peru
The Maldives
Costa Rica
Botswana