The Golden Isles has once again earned top honors from Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards. For the second year in a row, the Golden Isles has been named the #1 Best Islands in the U.S.
Golden Isles received this highest accolade in 2023 and 2020. This also marks the tenth consecutive year the Golden Isles has been ranked on the prestigious list of Best Islands in the U.S. The area is also recognized as #15 in the Best Islands in the World. To put this in perspective, there are over 18,000 islands in the U.S. alone and about 900,000 islands across the world.
Highly regarded as the leading media outlet in the worldwide tourism industry, recognition by Travel + Leisure is perfectly aligned with the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau’s overall marketing strategy to attract a visitor demographic that is focused on higher household incomes, longer length of stays, and commitment to sustainable tourism, among other key attributes.
US Best Islands
“The CVB is extremely intentional in effectively positioning the Golden Isles with audiences that align with our core values and ideal visitor profile,” said Scott McQuade, President &CEO of the Golden Isles CVB. “We focus on smaller market segments that bring visitors tothe area who contribute value to the community by supporting local businesses,participating in heritage tourism, and respecting the Golden Isles’ many cultural andnatural assets. Our commitment continues to uphold the economic vitality and longevity ofthe local hospitality industry which supports over 18,000 jobs here in Glynn County whilemaintaining the community’s quality of life.”
Each year, Travel + Leisure hosts its World’s Best Awards, which is conducted through a readership survey of over 186,000 respondents. The Golden Isles received its #1 statusbased on the area’s natural attractions and beaches, activities and sights, restaurants andfood, people and friendliness, and overall value.
”This is an award we share wholeheartedly with our local hospitality industry as well as the community as a whole,” said McQuade. “Together, we make this amazing destination thebest in the nation and across the world. This is something we can all be proud of.”
Part of Travel + Leisure’s announcement included a segment on Tuesday morning’s editionof NBC’s The Today Show in which the Golden Isles was prominently
“This is a place with incredible natural beauty, marshland, oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and amazing seafood,” remarked Paul Brady, News Director for Travel + Leisure, while on-air with Today Show anchors Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer.
The CVB is especially proud of this accolade as it equally recognizes the entire destination, further unifying the community.“To be recognized on a national level as the Golden Isles as a whole is truly significant,”said McQuade. “It shows that we are stronger together than we are apart. The CVB is proudto equally promote each of our islands and beloved city of Brunswick.”
###ABOUT THE GOLDEN ISLES CVBThe Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism in the Golden Isles of Georgia. Located offGeorgia’s southern coast, the Golden Isles is made up of four barrier islands that includeSt. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island, and the port city ofBrunswick.
ABOUT TRAVEL + LEISURETravel + Leisure is the preeminent voice for the sophisticated traveler, serving up expertintelligence and the most immersive travel lifestyle content anywhere. Travel + Leisurecaptures the joy of discovering the cultural pleasures the world has to offer, from art anddesign to shopping and style to food and drink. Travel + Leisure connects with its audienceacross platforms including the U.S. flagship and four international print editions, digitalchannels, the annual World’s Best franchise and more. Launched in 1971, Travel + Leisureis part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family and is owned by Travel + Leisure Co.
