For Immediate Release, July 2014

CHARLESTON IS RANKED NO. 1 ON THE TRAVEL + LEISURE 2014 WORLD’S BEST AWARDS LIST OF TOP CITIES IN THE U.S. AND CANADA FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Charleston, S.C. (July 2, 2014) – For the second consecutive year Charleston is the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada according to Travel + Leisure’s 2014 World’s Best Awards. Charleston also ranked No. 2 City in the World in the annual readers’ poll. The announcement was shared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on July 2. The complete results of the 2014 World’s Best Awards Survey are featured on TravelandLeisure.com/worldsbest and in the August issue of the magazine, on newsstands July 18.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Charleston has been named a top North American travel destination by a leading national magazine. Readers rank cities on sights and landmarks, culture and arts, restaurants and food, people, and value.

“The Charleston area is honored to have been recognized as the number one city in the U.S. and Canada by the readers of Travel + Leisure for the second year in a row,” says Dan Blumenstock, Director of Hotel Operations of Fennel Holdings and Chair of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Governors. “We believe that Charleston encapsulates the authentic travel experience for which Travel + Leisure readers are looking. That readers ranked Charleston the best city in the U.S. and Canada is a testament to Charleston’s viability as a world class destination for travelers.”

Four of the top five Top Small City Hotels in the Continental U.S. are located in Charleston. In addition to the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking, the following five Charleston area hotels received 2014 World’s Best Awards.

Top Small City hotels in the Continental U.S. (Fewer than 100 rooms):
1. Planters Inn
2. French Quarter Inn
4. Wentworth Mansion
5. Market Pavilion Hotel

Top Hotels Overall (worldwide):
26. Planters Inn
54. French Quarter Inn
85. Wentworth Mansion

Top Islands in Continental U.S. and Canada
5. Kiawah Island

Top Resorts in the Continental U.S.
29. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Travel + Leisure readers voted on their favorite hotels, cities, islands, spas, cruise lines, airlines, tour outfitters, and car-rental agencies. The 2014 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey results (listed by overall and regional rankings) and survey methodology are featured in the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, online at: www.TravelandLeisure.com/worldsbest, and in the World’s Best Awards 2014.

Follow the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2014 conversation with @travlandleisure #tlworldsbest

The mission of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets.

High Resolution photography available upon request.

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