Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards



Victoria has once again been rated among the best cities in the Americas by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Victoria ranked as the third best city in the Americas in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards, tied with Quebec City.

Cities are rated on criteria such as ambience, friendliness, culture, sites, restaurants, lodging and shopping. Victoria has consistently been named among the top ten cities in the Americas in Conde Nast's annual Readers' Choice Awards, taking top honours as the number one best city in the Americas in 2003.

"It is an honour for Victoria to be recognized as one of the best cities in the world in such a consistent fashion and in a prominent publication like Conde Nast Traveler," says Rob Gialloreto, Tourism Victoria's President & CEO. "With a per issue readership of over three million, Conde Nast is considered a premier travel magazine and accolades such as this raise awareness of Victoria as one of the world's finest destinations."

Victoria's accolades coincide with Vancouver Island being awarded the Readers' Choice award for Top North American Island for the seventh year in a row. Vancouver Island ranked first ahead of Kiawah and Nantucket in the North American Island category.

"With the natural beauty of Victoria and Vancouver Island, and the first-class tourism products we offer visitors, it is no surprise that we are recognized by travellers as a world-class destination," said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. "This kind of recognition will only increase as the world watches British Columbia prepare for and host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

"With Vancouver Island taking top spot for North American Islands for a record seventh year, and Victoria tying for third place as top American city, the readers of Conde Nast Traveller are telling us something that we are fortunate to know already - the wide variety of unique travel experiences found on Vancouver Island and in Victoria are unparalleled in the world," said Rod Harris, President & CEO of Tourism British Columbia.

Congratulations to Tourism Victoria Members who were also recognized:

Best of the Best 2008
47th - Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
67th - Long Beach Lodge Resort, Tofino
Top 30 Canada Hotels
1st - Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria
3rd - Sooke Harbour House, Sooke
7th - Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria
14th - Fairmont Empress, Victoria
17th - Victoria Regent Hotel, Victoria
23rd - Aerie Resort & Spa, Vancouver Island
24th - Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, Vancouver Island

Top 20 Canada Resorts
2nd - Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
3rd - Long Beach Lodge Resort, Tofino
16th - Poets Cove Resort & Spa, Pender Island

Established in 1987, Conde Nast Traveler is designed for the experienced, discerning, frequent traveller and reports on an array of diverse travel experiences. The magazine presents information encompassing art, fashion, architecture, culture, cuisine and shopping at a variety of destinations throughout the world.

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