Sydney, Australia, voted as world's best city - US travel awards

19 July 2002

Sydney has been voted the world's best city by readers of the US Travel and Leisure Magazine, outranking tourist hotspots including New York, Paris and London.

ATC Managing Director Ken Boundy said a number of Australia's cities, islands and hotels had been recognised in the latest awards highlighting the appeal of the country with US travellers. 

"Sydney has reclaimed the title as the World's Best City, after two years," he said. "The city has now held this title for five of the past seven years - a superb record which illustrates the international appeal of Sydney. 

"The friendly Australian people were also recognised, with Perth named the World's Friendliest City closely followed by Sydney at number two. 

"Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef were ranked among the top three islands (ranked second and third respectively) in the world ahead of Hawaii's Maui and Kauai as well as Santorini and Sicily.

"These awards are proof that the appeal of Australia as a holiday destination extends well beyond our icons. All aspects of our country from the city lifestyle, natural attractions and friendly people have received accolades in the latest awards. 

"However, the success of our industry depends on converting the interest into actual visitors Downunder."

The awards are conducted as a reader survey, and aim to find out who is delivering the best travel in the world. Travel and Leisure magazine readers are asked to vote on a number of elements of their travels, from the actual destination and its people to hotels, spas and cruise lines. 

Australia also performed well in the category for "Best Hotel in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific", with 10 hotels placed in the top 15. The Park Hyatt Sydney, ranked as number one, followed by the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast (2), Four Seasons Sydney (3) Hayman Island (4), Sheraton Towers Southgate(5), Sheraton on The Park Sydney (6), Hotel Intercontinental Sydney(8) and Park Hyatt Melbourne(9). 

Qantas was also named as one of the world's best international airline carriers, coming in at fourth place. 

Mr Boundy said the US travel market to Australia had continued to recover following the impact of September 11 on outbound travel. 

"The US market has recovered quicker than initially expected, with interest in Australia as a holiday destination returning and strong consumer response to the ATC marketing initiatives," he said. 

"The US is Australia's fourth largest tourism market and forecasts for growth in arrivals for the next couple of years remain strong."