Throughout the year, we’ve been asking readers to tell us their favourite countries, cities and regions around the world. More than 168,000 of you cast over 3.5 million votes, and on Wednesday 6 November, Wanderlust unveiled the winners.
The 2024 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, in partnership with Visit Costa Rica, gathered hundreds of esteemed travel industry leaders for an unforgettable evening of celebration at London’s Tate Modern.
Hosted by acclaimed comedian, actor and travel-show presenter Jack Whitehall, the ceremony honoured destinations, tour operators and airlines for their dedication to delivering outstanding travel experiences across 22 distinct categories.
The results
For the second consecutive year, Australia retained its crown as Most Desirable Country (World).
“Australia’s back-to-back win as Most Desirable Country (World) in the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards highlights its extraordinary appeal,” commented George Kipouros, Wanderlust’s Editor-in-Chief. “From the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef and the rugged Outback to the vibrant energy of cities like Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia offers a unique blend of natural wonders and rich cultural treasures, including Aboriginal tourism experiences, that keep travellers coming back for more.”
Italy was victorious when it came to Most Desirable Country (Europe), with Kipouros stating: “Italy’s blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich culinary traditions and unforgettable cultural experiences make it a perennial favourite among our readers.”
Climbing up from 2023’s Bronze position, vibrant Tokyo has won over Wanderlust readers’ hearts to be named the Most Desirable City (World), with Singapore holding onto Silver position for the second year and Rio de Janeiro taking home Bronze.
Most Desirable City (Europe) went to Madrid, with the culture-filled Spanish capital having slowly risen up the rankings over the past few years, while Istanbul secured Silver and Dubrovnik took Bronze.
Meanwhile, the Most Desirable Emerging Destination award revealed which under-the-radar countries have sparked our readers’ curiosity this year. Uzbekistan claimed Gold, followed by Albania and Qatar winning Silver and Bronze respectively.
See the full list of results here.
