Hot Spots Where Travelers Want to Go

Leading travel site TripAdvisor has announced the winners of its 2012 Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards. In the fourth year of its awards, it has honored 440 outstanding destinations in 37 markets across the globe, including lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Europe, India, Mexico, the Middle East, South America, the South Pacific, and the United States.

The Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards honor top travel spots worldwide based on reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers.  Award winners were determined based on the popularity of destinations, taking into account travelers’ favorites and most highly rated places.

Top 25 Travelers’ Choice World Destinations:

1.         London, England

2.         New York City, New York

3.         Rome, Italy

4.         Paris, France

5.         San Francisco, California

6.         Marrakech, Morocco

7.         Istanbul, Turkey

8.         Barcelona, Spain

9.         Siem Reap, Cambodia

10.        Berlin, Germany

11.        Chicago, Illinois

12.        Florence, Italy

13.        Buenos Aires, Argentina

14.        Sydney, Australia

15.        Beijing, China

16.        Prague, Czech Republic

17.        Las Vegas, Nevada

18.        Bora Bora, French Polynesia

19.        Shanghai, China

20.        Honolulu, Hawaii

21.        Los Angeles, California

22.        New Orleans, Louisiana

23.        Cape Town, South Africa

24.        Chiang Mai, Thailand

25.        Dublin, Ireland

Top 25 Travelers’ Choice U.S. Destinations:

1.         New York City, New York

2.         San Francisco, California

3.         Chicago, Illinois

4.         Las Vegas, Nevada

5.         Honolulu, Hawaii

6.         Los Angeles, California

7.         New Orleans, Louisiana

8.         Seattle, Washington

9.         San Diego, California

10.        Orlando, Florida

11.        Washington, D.C.

12.        Portland, Oregon

13.        San Antonio, Texas

14.        Savannah, Georgia

15.        Boston, Massachusetts

16.        Branson, Missouri

17.        Atlanta, Georgia

18.        Houston, Texas

19.        Sedona, Arizona

20.        Napa, California

21.        Lahaina, Hawaii

22.        Austin, Texas

23.        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

24.        Charleston, South Carolina

25.        Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

“The TripAdvisor community has once again helped pinpoint hundreds of the most amazing and beloved travel destinations of the year,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.  “For travelers planning their big annual vacation or just a weekend getaway, these awards highlight awe-inspiring travel locations of all varieties around the globe.”

The announcement was made today, May 1.