The award originates from voting by readers of the elite USA “Global Traveler” magazine. The publication averages readership of 240,000 each month, made up of the most discerning of American international travelers who have an average household income of $320,000.

Cook Islands Tourism’s General Manager North America, John Petersen said, “To win this award for a fourth year in a row is unprecedented. When one thinks about the thousands of island resorts throughout the entire Pacific ocean, for any island to win this just once would indeed be a very great honor. But to win the award four years consecutively is such an amazing accomplishment. This is a destination that prides itself on being the best in every way possible to satisfy visitor needs, but it is the people of the Cook Islands that make the destination really stand out, not just the pristine beauty and wonderful facilities and services available to visitors”.