New Zealand has been named the world’s best country by readers of The Telegraph, reclaiming the top spot in the publication’s annual travel awards.
More than 20,000 readers took part in the UK-based survey, which covers a range of categories from favourite destinations to best airlines and cruise lines. New Zealand has consistently ranked at or near the top for more than a decade, dropping only once to second place in 2023, a change largely attributed to pandemic-related border closures.
“Now that a relative normality has resurfaced, New Zealand is – to borrow a football expression, back on its perch,”wrote The Telegraph.
The editors praised everything from the Great Walks and cycling trails to the country’s Māori and Polynesian culture, dark sky sanctuaries, and natural beauty – including the fjords of the South Island and the snowy peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
They also noted the ongoing appeal of cities like Auckland and Wellington, saying New Zealand continues to offer a “safe and friendly welcome to visitors.”