New Zealand has been ranked the fifth best country in the world by a prestigious international travel publication, narrowly coming behind Japan, Italy, Greece and Ireland, respectively.
The 2023 Condé Nast Traveler (US) Readers' Choice Awards were released overnight and also feature Auckland's Park Hyatt in its list of the world's best hotels and the Wharekauhau Country Estate as one of Earth's best luxury resorts.
Air New Zealand is also ranked as the world's seventh best airline, following it topping this year's AirlineRatings.com rankings and coming 19th in those of Skytrax. Singapore Airlines topped Condé Nast's airlines list, as it did Skytrax's.
This year's Condé Nast awards are said to have been decided by a survey of half a million readers.
"If 2022 was all about the return to travel, then 2023 was the year we recalibrated what was really important. Few seemed to have disappeared into the metaverse, preferring real life encounters ranging from off-grid wilderness escapes to well-connected urban luxe," the website said.
"From the results that poured in for our 26th readers' awards... it's apparent that you want to spend more time and more money than ever before on travelling."
The awards span 18 categories that also include cities, cruise lines, spas, islands, luggage and airports.
Condé Nast Top Countries in the World 2023:
- Japan
- Italy
- Greece
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Spain
- Portugal
- Israel
- Norway
- Switzerland.
Condé Nast Top International Airlines 2023:
- Singapore Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Virgin Atlantic
- Cathay Pacific
- Air New Zealand
- EVA
- Japan Airlines
- Etihad Airways.
Condé Nast Top International Cities 2023:
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Cape Town
- Sydney
- Copenhagen
- Oslo
- Vancouver
- Melbourne
- Edinburgh.
The full lists and accompanying editorial is available on Condé Nast's website.
