India is 9th most-preferred tourist destination

India has been ranked as the ninth most preferred tourist destination in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, a Britain-based magazine.

According to a release issued by CNT, India moved up the chart from the eleventh place it occupied last year.

Incidentally, The Rajvilas Jaipur ranked first among overseas leisure hotels in the Asia category, while The Vanyavilas (Ranthambhore) was ranked eleventh in the same category.

Readers of CNT, United Kingdom, were asked to choose the best that the travel world had to offer -- from hotels and spas to airlines and airports.

They were then asked to rate their choices according to various criteria such as service and value for money.

Italy was voted top tourist destination, and ranked high on the parameters of culture, food and restaurants.

Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand scored high for environmental friendliness.

For scenery, the vistas of Switzerland took the top spot, while South Africa came first for its beach hotels and safari camps. Malaysia and Thailand were voted the best for their people and hospitality.

According to CNT, the top five tourist destinations in the world are Italy, Australia, France, the United States and Thailand.