A new travel survey has named New Zealand the world's best country, a report said.
According to the Telegraph Travel Awards, more than 90,000 people voted to pick their favourite travel destinations and travel companies in the widest-ranging travel survey of its kind, reported Stuff.co.nz.
Reacting to the news, Prime Minister John Key termed the announcement "a great accolade." He said that tourism makes a significant part of New Zealand's economy and added that the real strength of the tourism experience offered by the country is that it "lives up to the hype." Travelers get an experience that is better than the brochure, he said.
The government has invested a total of 600 million dollars in tourism and its promotion since 2008, he remarked.
The title was won by New Zealand for a straight third time this year.
It was followed by Maldives and South Africa on the list. Cape Town was named the world's best city.
