Planning a city holiday for 2020? With climate awareness growing and long-haul flights now a careful consideration, travellers want to make their trips count. And New Orleans in Louisiana is unbeatable, according to UK holidaymakers, who ranked it top of the world.
The survey, conducted by Which?, asked thousands of Brits to rate recent city travel around the globe across a range of categories including quality of cultural attractions, accommodation, shopping, food, value for money and crowds.
While Cape Town has topped the list for four of the last five years, New Orleans came out number one of almost 40 destinations with a city score of 90%. Holidaymakers surveyed said they loved ‘the Big Easy’ for its laid back nature, friendly locals, fusion cuisine and the ease of getting around.
Based on the Mississippi River, New Orleans also got a five-star rating for the quality of its attractions – which include live music and around the clock nightlife, as well as airboat rides in the bayou to spot alligators.
Singapore and Sydney came in joint second place, both receiving an overall score of 87%. Singapore was one of only three cities to receive five stars for shopping. It also got five stars for ease of getting around and its food and drink.
Meanwhile Sydney – best known for its iconic Opera House, yacht-studded harbour and famous Bondi beach – impressed with its attractions. Those surveyed added that it was easy to get around, with many also recommending the ferry to Manly and back for the best view of the city.
Chicago came in fourth while Jaipur, Washington and Tokyo shared fifth place, scoring 85%. The latter, Japan’s capital, mixes neon-lit skyscrapers and historic temples and was the city which received the most five stars in a range of categories, including shopping, attractions, ease of getting around and food and drink. Its overall score was dragged down by the crowds though.
Previous winner, Cape Town, still managed an 84% overall score and received the coveted five-star rating for value for money. Visitors praised the stunning views at Table Mountain, plentiful vineyards and harbour bars and restaurants.
At the bottom of the list was Las Vegas, scraping together a 57% score. Those who visited the Nevada hotspot found it crowded but with a lack of attractions, and described it at “brash”, “expensive” and “over the top”. ‘Sin City’ scored just two stars for food and drink and value for money.
Also rated disappointing, overrated and crowded was Los Angeles (58%). One respondent described the Californian city as “busy, dirty, smelly and dangerous”, and it was one of only three cities to receive just one star for ease of transport.
Known for luxury shopping and ultramodern architecture, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates came in fourth lowest with a mediocre 62%. Those who visited said they didn’t think much of the food, didn’t think much of the attractions and thought it offered poor value for money. One respondent summed up the experience of the city as “bling and consumerism”.
You can check out the full results in the table below.
