New Zealand has once again taken one of the top prizes at the Telegraph Travel Awards, winning the Best Country category for the third year running.

Over 90,000 people cast their vote in the UK’s largest travel awards, deciding that New Zealand should take the crown over runners-up South Africa and the Maldives.

Following the announcement at Banking Hall in London, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key welcomed the news, which can only help the country’s already thriving tourism industry. He accredited the country’s success to ‘living up to the hype’ created by advertising, saying that New Zealand delivers exactly what it promises to travellers and visitors.

Offering everything from backpacking experiences to coach trips, New Zealand is loved by travellers and holidaymakers from all over the world, and it’s easy to see why. Combining an English familiarity with a distinctly different landscape and way of life has created a winning formula, and the list of attractions is endless. There’s extreme sports for those who love their adventure, world-class rugby to enjoy, miles of stunning landscapes to take in and explore and the chance to experience the country’s native Maori culture.

New Zealand lake water mountains boats view landscape sky clouds reflection beautiful Best Country category Telegraph Travel Awards London Distant Journeys escorted coach tours holidays destination Australia Auckland Wellington