October 17, 2006
VANCOUVER ISLAND WINS BEST NORTH AMERICAN ISLAND AT CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS’ CHOICE AWARD CEREMONY
NANAIMO, BC – Once again, Condé Nast Traveler magazine readers ranked Vancouver Island as Top North American Island at a prestigious awards ceremony held last night in New York City attended by Tourism Vancouver Island President & CEO Dave Petryk. This is the seventh consecutive year that Vancouver Island has held this honour.
Vancouver Island ranked first ahead of Kiawah, and Nantucket, in the North American Island category. Islands are rated on activities, beaches, friendliness, lodging, restaurants, and scenery, and were broken down into four geographic categories: Asia/Pacific, Caribbean/Atlantic, European, and North American.
“For Vancouver Island to receive this award for the seventh consecutive year is truly an honour for all of the tourism stakeholders within the region,” says Petryk. “We are truly realizing our vision of positioning Vancouver Island as a premier all-season destination.”
The City of Vancouver was the number one choice in the Top Cities in the Americas category. Cities were divided into five geographic categories: the Americas(Canada, Central America and South America), Asia/ Pacific, Africa /Middle East, United States and Pacific Rim. Cities are rated on various criteria, including ambience, friendliness, culture/ sites, restaurants, lodging and shopping.
Also recognized among the best of the best from Vancouver Island was the Laurel Point Inn (top 15 Canada Hotels), and the Wickaninnish Inn (top 15 Canada Resorts).
The 2006 Readers’ Choice Awards, featured in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, lists the world’s top cities, islands, airlines, resorts, cruise lines and other travel related categories. The publication, with a per issue readership of over three million, is considered an opinion leader in the travel field and has been conducting a Readers’ Choice awards program since 1988.
Last night’s ceremony, held at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, was attended by representatives from winning cities and organizations, top travel specialists from across the United States, as well as many celebrities, including Liam Neeson, Carmen Electra, Ivana Trump, Sandra Bernhard and Marcia Gay Harden.
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Media Contacts:
Dave Petryk
President & CEO
Tourism Vancouver Island
Cell: (250) 739-9088
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