Lansdowne best upcoming hill destination, shows survey

Lansdowne in Uttarakhand was voted the best upcoming hill destination while New Zealand was chosen as the best international adventure destination by Outlook Traveller Readers' Survey. The award function for it was held here on Wednesday.

The award function, which entered in its ninth year, was organised to emphasise the growing change in preference of destinations by travellers that honoured and showcased the very best of travel and hospitality experiences in India and overseas.

The selection of the award recipients was done by readers who chose the best in each category in an online poll conducted by the travel magazine.

"Outlook Traveller's award for 24 categories is completely based on reader's survey and readers' vote. People are looking away from traditional or conventional tourism spots. And our awards are a reflection of changing trends in travelling," vice president of Outlook Swastik Banerjee told IANS.

Radhanagar beach of Andaman and Nicobar Islands bagged the cleanest beach award while the best restoration award was given to Mehrangarh fort of Rajasthan.

Jim Corbett National Park got the best conserved national park award and Binsar wildlife sanctuary was given the best birding destination award.

Bir in Himachal Pradesh was awarded the best paragliding destination, Srinagar-Leh road the best driving route, and Shey in Ladakh the best rock climbing destination.

Apart from 24 categories, this year three new categories have been added under the 'Editor's Choice Awards'.

The editor's choice outstanding contribution to travel was awarded to Neemrana Hotels while best new hotel award went to Intercontinental Mahabalipuram resort in Chennai. Abercrombie and Kent was given the best outbound tour operator award.

"We have introduced different awards like best rock climbing or river rafting destination. People are going to specifics as far as travelling is concerned and so is our award. People are customising their holiday a lot instead of going into plain simple holiday. There is a change in the preference of travellers in last few years," Banerjee said.

Among international destinations, Seychelles bagged the award for best wedding destination and Kruger national park of South Africa for the best international wildlife destination.