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Maui Recaptures "Best Island in the World"
Magic Isle Wins Designation for the 13th Time and Receives Highest Score of Any Destination Across the Globe
MAUI, HAWAII - October 11, 2007 Number 13 proves lucky after all for the Island of Maui. After relinquishing 'Best Island in the World' honors in 2006 to the Maldives, Maui roared back to recapture the prestigious honor in the 20th annual CONDE NAST TRAVELER Readers' Choice Awards Poll. With a score of 90.0, Maui captured 'Best Pacific Island' (for the 17th consecutive year) and 'Best Island in the World' for the 13th time. The Maldives tied for third 'Best Island in the World' with Bali this year (84.3) right behind second-place Kauai (87.1).
Maui also surpassed all other top destinations across the globe beating out the Best Australian City (Sydney, 87.8), Best U.S. City, (San Francisco, 85.5), Best Europe City (Florence, 84.8), and Best Asian City (Bangkok, 82.6). In a coup for the State of Hawaii, Kauai's score of 87.1 gave the 'Garden Isle' third best overall ranking of any destination in the world.
"Maui continues to capture the hearts and imagination of visitors from across the globe", stated Terryl Vencl, executive director, Maui Visitors Bureau. "Our island's amazing natural beauty, cherished host culture and gracious aloha continue to entice and inspire. We are thrilled to be back on top. This is a proud day for our industry and most importantly, for the people of Maui."
Conde Nast Traveler reports, "This year again belongs to perennial favorite Maui, the only island in the world with an overall score that reaches 90.0. The 13-time winner takes back the crown thanks to particularly stellar individual ratings for Scenery (95.7) and Ambience (90.8)."
Other islands ranking in the Best Pacific Island category include: 2. Kauai, (87.1); 3. Great Barrier Reef, (84.5); 4. Borabora, (84.1); 5. Moorea, (83); 6. Hawaii Island, (82.7); 7. Oahu, (80.5); 8. Lenai, (79.8); 9. Cook Islands, (76.6); and 10. Tasmania, (73.6).
The magazine's annual Readers' Choice Awards poll analyzes the travel preferences of their readership in various categories including cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, spas, resorts and rental cars. The ratings are based on the responses of Conde Nast Traveler subscribers who participated in the 20th annual poll. Complete results are published in the November 2007 issue, which arrives on newsstands later this month.
World-class resorts, award winning cuisine, championship golf, staggering natural beauty and the islands' host Hawaiian culture have propelled Maui into the limelight. For more information, visit www.visitmaui.com or call 800-525-MAUI.
