“This global recognition is testament to the success of the targeted marketing and industry partnership campaigns, and major events secured by Destination NSW,” she said.

“On top of being named the best city in Australia and the South Pacific in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards, Sydney was also the only Australian city to be named in the top 25 cities around the world.

Readers of high end lifestyle publication Elite Traveler also ranked Surry Hills restaurant Marque, run by Chef Mark Best, at 35 in their top 100, with Tetsuya’s coming in at 60 and the spectacularly situated Quay Restaurant at 88.

“It is little wonder that people choose Sydney as their number one travel destination, when we have golden beaches perfect for swimming and surfing, fantastic events, world class attractions, shopping and delicious dining,” she said.

“To add to the tourist experience, Regional NSW is blessed with a range of natural wonders such as the magnificent Blue Mountains, rugged beauty of the Central and Far West, and of course the panoramic South Coast.

“The best that nature has to offer, along with many other fantastic urban attractions, entices 28.5 million international and domestic overnight visitors to NSW each year, delivering more than $21 billion in visitor expenditure,” she said.

The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards honour top travel spots worldwide, and are based on millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers, gathered over a 12-month period. Elite Traveler surveys its readers on their favourite restaurants from the past year to compile their top 100 restaurants list.

Media contact

Luke Goldsmith – 0467 728 181

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Australian Destinations

  1. Sydney, NSW
  2. Melbourne, VIC
  3. Brisbane, QLD
  4. Port Douglas, QLD
  5. Hobart, TAS
  6. Cessnock, NSW
  7. Airlie Beach, QLD
  8. Byron Bay, NSW
  9. Canberra, ACT
  10. Darwin, NT

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice South Pacific Destinations

  1. Sydney, NSW
  2. Queenstown, South Island
  3. Melbourne, VIC
  4. Brisbane, QLD
  5. Rotorua, North Island
  6. Port Douglas, QLD
  7. Taupo, North Island
  8. Blenheim, South Island
  9. Nelson, South Island
  10. Hobart, TAS

Top 25 Travellers’ Choice World Destinations

  1. Istanbul, Turkey
  2. Rome, Italy
  3. London, England
  4. Beijing, China
  5. Prague, Czech Republic
  6. Marrakech, Morocco
  7. Paris, France
  8. Hanoi, Vietnam (New)
  9. Siem Reap, Cambodia
  10. Shanghai, China
  11. Berlin, Germany
  12. New York City, New York
  13. Florence, Italy
  14. Buenos Aires, Argentina
  15. Barcelona, Spain
  16. St. Petersburg, Russia
  17. Dubai, United Arab Emirates (New)
  18. Chicago, Illinois
  19. Cape Town, South Africa
  20. Bangkok, Thailand
  21. Budapest, Hungary (New)
  22. Sydney, Australia
  23. Lisbon, Portugal (New)
  24. Chiang Mai, Thailand
  25. San Francisco, California

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