Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the recognition is a wonderful achievement and proves that Sydney is the number one place in the world when it comes to eating and drinking.

“This award reasserts Sydney’s place on the international culinary stage and as the readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine declared, not even London, New York or Paris can compete with this vibrant city for its bars and restaurants,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Sydney’s dynamic bar and dining culture is second to none, home to world-class chefs, bartenders and sommeliers who showcase their creativity at fine-dining restaurants, laneway bars and pop-up diners, to name a few,” she said.

In the world rankings, Sydney was named the fourth best overseas city after New York, Paris and Venice, the only Australian city to be mentioned in the 20 strong list. Readers were particularly impressed by the friendliness of Sydneysiders, singling out the harbour city for the ‘sunny disposition of its citizens’.

Readers also ranked their Top 20 hotels and resorts in Australasia and the South Pacific, highlighting the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney (#3), The Langham Sydney (#8), Lilianfels Resort and Spa Blue Mountains (#13) and Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa Blue Mountains (#17).

“The Readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK continue to demonstrate their passion for Sydney and NSW, signalling out the city’s hip bars, innovative cuisine and the world-class accommodation offerings as reasons to visit,” Ms Chipchase said.

“The UK is NSW’s third largest visitor market, with the State receiving 340,000 visitors for the year ended June 2014, contributing $679 million in overnight visitor expenditure,” she said.

Australia was also recognised as the third favourite country in the world with readers listing the country’s ‘wide open spaces and dune-backed beaches’ as a highlight.

Media contact

Chloe Burton – 0427 109 276

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