New Zealand has won the "Favourite Country - Worldwide" award
at the Telegraph Travel Awards held at the ME Hotel in
London on Wednesday night.
More than 17,000 Telegraph readers took part in the
poll this year.
New Zealand edged out finalists the Maldives and South Africa
to win the category.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said
yesterday the award was a huge honour.
"We are so pleased and excited to have received this award
and would like to thank Telegraph readers for their
passion and enthusiasm for New Zealand.
"It's great news for us to know that, even in these tough
economic times, long-haul destinations like New Zealand are
obviously still so important and inspiring to
Telegraph readers."
The gong followed Tourism NZ's win for the third year running
as Australasia's Leading Tourist Board and its nominations
this week in two categories for the World Travel Awards, to
be announced in Delhi on December 12.
Tourism NZ is in the running to be named the World's Leading
Tourist Board. And its new 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New
Zealand campaign is one of four finalists for the World's
Leading Destination Marketing Campaign. The other finalists
are Australia - There's Nothing Like Australia; Morocco -
Movement for More Summer; and Spain - I Need Spain.
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