MAUI, Hawai‘i – For the eleventh consecutive year, Maui was voted “Best Island in the World” in the 17th annual CONDE NAST TRAVELER Readers’ Choice Awards Poll. With a score of 91.2, Maui captured the top slot for “Pacific Rim Islands” and also garnered Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best of the Best Crown” scoring higher than Bali (Top Asia/Indian Ocean Island, 86.4), Vancouver Island (Top North American Island, 75.5), Bermuda  (Top caribbean/Atlantic Island, 79.7) and Mykonos and the Cyclades (Top Europe Island, 76.2). 

Maui’s score also topped any other vacation destination in the world including San Francisco (Top U.S. City, 86.6), Florence (Top European City, 86.9), Sydney (Top Pacific Rim City, 87.8) and several others to be named the world’s “Top Travel Destination.”

Terryl Vencl, executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau, accepted the award on behalf of the Island of Maui. “This never gets old!” she stated emphatically. “We are truly grateful and thankful to the readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Maui is magical for so many reasons, and I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of the people of Maui,” Vencl said.

Other Hawaiian islands named to the “Top Pacific Rim Islands” list include #2 Kaua‘i (88.7), #4 Hawai‘i Island (84), and for only the second time, #6 Lana‘i (81.5). O‘ahu ranked #7 (81.4).

The annual CONDE NAST TRAVELER Readers’ Choice Awards poll analyzes the travel preferences of the magazine’s readership in various categories including cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, spas, resorts and rental cars.  The ratings are based on the responses of magazine subscribers of CONDE NAST TRAVELER, who participated in its 17th annual poll.  Complete results of the poll are published in the November 2004 issue.