Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), is proud to celebrate the state’s recognition in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards.
Travel + Leisure is one of the world’s leading travel publications, reaching 16 million readers every month.
Each year for the World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to rate the top cities, islands, hotels, airlines, airports, and more on a number of characteristics.
The awards were announced July 11. Georgia’s Golden Isles, Savannah, and Atlanta were voted into top spots across eight award categories.
“Hundreds of thousands of Travel + Leisure readers have voted on the best travel experiences, and it’s clear that Georgia ranks among the top tourism destinations in the world,” said the chief marketing officer for GDEcD, Mark Jaronski. “This recognition is a testament to the hardworking Georgians of our travel industry and only reinforces the impact that tourism makes on our state’s economy and way of life as a growing number of travelers add our destinations, including the Golden Isles and Savannah, as well as Georgia-based travel brands like Delta Air Lines and IHG Hotels and Resorts, to their list of favorites.”
The Golden Isles – St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and the port city of Brunswick – reclaimed the coveted number one spot in the '15 Favorite Islands in the Continental U.S.' category and ranked number 13 on the '25 Favorite Islands in the World' list.
The Golden Isles was one of only two U.S. destinations that earned spots on the list, solidifying its place among the world’s most beloved island destinations.
Furthermore, the Golden Isles is home to two of the honorees in the '15 Favorite Resorts in the South' category, the Cloister at Sea Island and the Lodge at Sea Island, which made the list at number seven and number nine, respectively.
Savannah earned the prominent number four position on the list of '15 Favorite Cities in the U.S.', and its airport was named number seven in the '10 Favorite Domestic Airports' category.
Readers of Travel + Leisure also voted on their 'Five Favorite Hotels in Savannah', with Perry Lane Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, placing first, followed by the Alida, Savannah, a tribute portfolio hotel. These accolades showcase Savannah’s unique southern charm and hospitality, further cementing its reputation as the 'Hostess City of the South'.
Georgia’s vibrant capital city of Atlanta also shone brightly in the awards. For their 'Five Favorite Hotels in Atlanta,' readers crowned InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta the winner, succeeded by the St. Regis Atlanta, Loews Atlanta Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead and Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta Air Lines climbed to the esteemed number three spot on this year’s list of '10 Favorite Domestic Airlines', after ranking number five for the last four years.
The complete survey results can be found here and in the August issue of Travel + Leisure. For more information about Georgia’s award-winning destinations and experiences, click here.
