The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) has been named the world’s leading tourist board by the prestigious World Travel Awards. Competing against other top destinations, Miami Beach was chosen by more than 1 million industry voters over Auckland Tourism, Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cape Town Tourism, Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission and Visit London.
The award is a testament to the global appeal of Miami Beach. Accepting the award on behalf of MBVCA at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony, Peggy Benua, chair of the organization said, “This award, is a symbol of Miami Beach’s worldwide presence and certainly demand for our brand. We’re honored to have been considered, but to actually win this impressive and prominent award is an incredible endorsement of all MBVCA is doing to share Miami Beach with the world.”
Just two months ago, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority was named North America’s Leading Tourist Board, facing competitors including the Arizona Office of Tourism, Destination DC, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NYC & Company, Visit California, Visit Orlando and Visit Florida.
“Miami Beach has always been perceived as an iconic destination around the world,” says Elsie Howard, former MBVCA board chair (2000-2004 and 2006-2011). “The MBVCA’s award for World’s Leading City Tourist Board 2016 signifies the depth and breadth or our reach, it recognizes our hard work and our tireless commitment to making Miami Beach an iconic destination forever.”
The World Travel Award wins cap off a year of accolades for Miami Beach. The city also won first place in the 2016 edition of the Travvy Awards, presented by travAlliancemedia in the category of “Best Wedding Destination, U.S. & Canada” and a silver medal winner in the 2016 Magellan Awards by Travel Weekly in the category of “Overall Beach Destinations | U.S and Canada.”
“To cap off a year of awards for the MBVCA and Miami Beach with the World’s Leading City Tourist Board 2016 win is phenomenal,” says Grisette Roque, executive director of MBVCA. “Miami Beach is already a dazzling destination but the board works incredibly hard to make sure all facets of the city are enjoyed by residents and visitors and this award is a culmination of that work.”
