Lonely Planet has included Stewart Island and Milford Sound in latest guide showcasing 101 spectacular sights around the globe and how to experience them on "any budget".
Destination Fiordland manager Madeleine Peacock said it was no shock Milford was chosen.
"I suppose it is not a surprise to us, but it is always great to be recognised by international media and international travel."
She did not know how it would affect tourist numbers, but it was good to be chosen by such a well-respected source of travel information, she said.
"We know that people consult with the likes of Lonely Planet when they do their travel dreaming, so it will have some positive outcome."
This year, the guide selected lesser-known wonders, such as the entwined tree bridges of Meghalaya in India, the intricate Islamic architecture of Naqsh-e Jahan in Iran and the massive Buddhist temple of Borobudur in central Java.
Museums with collections of wonders were also included, such as the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands and the British Museum in London.
The natural wonders chosen for the book include giant trees in California, cascading lakes in Croatia, multicoloured hills in China, great waterfalls and the world's biggest cave. Also featured are natural phenomena such as the wave of blossoming cherry trees that sweeps across Japan each spring, and the light show of the auroras across the planet's northern and southern extremities.
