We were recently very flattered to be approached by the excellent 101 Holidays to take part in a survey of the tastes of 100 top UK travel writers. If 101 Holidays could just inform my accountant and mum respectively that I'm somewhere in this heady mix, I'd appreciate the favour.
The survey was the most comprehensive of its kind, as Editor Mark Hodson notes: "We have conducted the biggest ever survey of the UK’s travel journalists to find their favourite cities, countries, beach resorts and airlines. We asked them where they would go if they could have a free airline ticket anywhere in the world, and where they would travel if they paid for their own holiday. And we asked them which destination they would never want to visit again."
Some results were more surprising than others: France (yawn) is our favourite country but second is India, which is kind of amazing. New York is our favourite city (zzzzzz) but Istanbul makes the top 10 (I approve). My most beloved beach resort (Krabi, Thailand) topped that poll, but the most rewarding thing for me was the most divisive question of all.
What one destination would you never return to?
OK, Vegas topped out. I can see that. I WOULD go back, and in fact I'm going back next week. I can only guess the other wirters got stuck on the strip and didn't make it to the excellent Double Down Saloon or Frankie's Tiki Room. HOWEVER, the next (and only other) answers warmed my cockles: Qatar and Dubai. I have loathed Dubai since I ill-advisedly went about 8 years ago - brash consumerism coupled with a disregard for human rights and an ecological disaster zone (cooled sand, ski resorts and golf courses in the desert, anyone? And Qatar, desperately trying to barge its way into the global scene with all the class of a redneck lottery winner, and equally suspect in the slavery department. Made me proud to be part of something.
Anyway, sniping aside, it's a really great survey and you should check out the full results HERE.
The survey was the most comprehensive of its kind, as Editor Mark Hodson notes: "We have conducted the biggest ever survey of the UK’s travel journalists to find their favourite cities, countries, beach resorts and airlines. We asked them where they would go if they could have a free airline ticket anywhere in the world, and where they would travel if they paid for their own holiday. And we asked them which destination they would never want to visit again."
Some results were more surprising than others: France (yawn) is our favourite country but second is India, which is kind of amazing. New York is our favourite city (zzzzzz) but Istanbul makes the top 10 (I approve). My most beloved beach resort (Krabi, Thailand) topped that poll, but the most rewarding thing for me was the most divisive question of all.
What one destination would you never return to?
OK, Vegas topped out. I can see that. I WOULD go back, and in fact I'm going back next week. I can only guess the other wirters got stuck on the strip and didn't make it to the excellent Double Down Saloon or Frankie's Tiki Room. HOWEVER, the next (and only other) answers warmed my cockles: Qatar and Dubai. I have loathed Dubai since I ill-advisedly went about 8 years ago - brash consumerism coupled with a disregard for human rights and an ecological disaster zone (cooled sand, ski resorts and golf courses in the desert, anyone? And Qatar, desperately trying to barge its way into the global scene with all the class of a redneck lottery winner, and equally suspect in the slavery department. Made me proud to be part of something.
Anyway, sniping aside, it's a really great survey and you should check out the full results HERE.
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