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Forget Rio and Rome: Wellington, Newcastle are world’s best
If Lonely Planet wanted to get maximum publicity for its annual Best in Travel 2011 list, it was certainly successful with its latest picks.
The publisher named Wellington in New Zealand the fourth-best city in the world behind New York, Tangier and Tel Aviv.
Valencia is fifth, then Iquitos, Ghent, Delhi, Newcastle (Australia) and Chiang Mai.
Newcastle was considered to be a more worthy choice than Sydney because of assets such as surf beaches, dining, night life, arts and “a unique blend of imagination and sophistication,” said Lonely Planet Asia Pacific travel editor, Shawn Low.
In Christchurch, the news that Wellington was among the world’s ten best travel destinations was greeted with mock horror.
Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult told the local newspaper, The Press that Wellington “has a concrete jungle, diplomats and politicians – and the windâ€.
“We have more people, the biggest park, the best square, the most exclusive art events, more cyclists and a bigger and busier airport than Wellington.
“Their airport looks like a pumpkin. We have bigger earthquakes and draw 140,000 people to concerts.â€
An anonymous Wellington City Council spokesman said there was no need for Christchurch people to be jealous: “I’m sure Christchurch would have made the list if it had been long enough.”
Lonely Planet ‘s Low said the rankings came from hundreds of ideas submitted by authors, staff and bloggers, then refined by a panel of in-house travel experts.
“The rankings come down to topicality, excitement, value for money and that special X-factor.
“The whole idea is to challenge people to get off the beaten track and visit places like Newcastle that have been flying under the radar.”
Footnote: Consolation for Christchurch: AirAsia X will start the first budget service to New Zealand next March, with four return services a week between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch.
Ian Jarrett
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