It’s official—Galway is the friendliest city on the planet!
Even better, it’s joined by Dublin and Cork in the top four friendliest cities in the world, according to the annual reader survey of Travel+Leisure, a major US travel magazine based in New York.
Every year, Travel+Leisure asks its readers to weight in on their favourite cities around the globe, in its annual World’s Best Awards—its annual reader survey which rates destinations and travel providers.
The magazine has unveiled the results of its 2015 survey, including its list of the world’s friendliest cities.
Galway is first, with Dublin and Cork third and fourth respectively.
Others to feature in the top ten friendliest cities were Charleston, North Carolina in second place, and—in order from fifth to tenth—Siem Reap, Cambodia; Auckland, New Zealand; Melbourne and Sydney; Edinburgh, and Savanagh, Georgia.
Comments would suggest that Galway won readers’ hearts with its festive nature, lively population and musicality.
“The hospitality and the humour of Ireland’s people makes it a perfect destination,” said one.
Another voter claimed Galway was home to the “friendliest people (they had) ever met.”
Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons welcomed the news.
“I am delighted to see three of our cities appear in the prestigious Travel+Leisure survey of friendly cities around the globe. It is another well-deserved accolade for Galway, Dublin and Cork,” he said.
“Again and again, our research shows us that the friendliness of our people is one of our unique selling points. It is the warm welcome and the craic here that resonates with our overseas visitors and makes our cities, and the island of Ireland, such a great choice for a short break or holiday.
“This accolade by the readers of Travel+Leisure magazine gives Tourism Ireland another great platform to continue to promote our cities and Ireland around the world as a must-see destination,” he added.
