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Belize and its Resorts Rank Among Best in the World

Thousands of travelers from around the world elected Belize's Ambergris Caye as one of the best islands in Central and South America, according to the 2009 Travel+Leisure "World's Best Awards." The destination ranked 2nd on the list, while Francis Ford Coppola's Blancaneaux Lodge, located in the Mountain Pine Ridge of the Cayo district, ranked 1st on the Top 10 Resorts in Central and South America list. Placencia's Turtle Inn and Victoria House on Ambergris Caye took 5th and 6th, respectively.

"We are honored to be ranked among the best destinations and hotels in the world by the discerning readers of Travel+Leisure magazine," said Tracy Panton, Director of Tourism for the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). "These awards are truly a validation of our country's sophisticated tourism offerings, balanced by our constant vigilance to preserve the endless beauty and diversity that make Belize unique."

Ambergris Caye has made a name for itself within the Travel+Leisure awards, placing on the Top 3 Islands in Mexico, Central and South America list for the past three consecutive years. Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn are also no strangers to the list, with Blancaneaux debuting 9th on the 2006 Top 25 Hotels in Central and South America list, and Turtle Inn ranking 6th in 2007. This 2009 World's Best award is the first nomination for Victoria House.

Since 1995, Travel + Leisure magazine has been presenting the World's Best Awards to the hottest properties around the globe. Winners are selected by the magazine's readers, who are asked to choose hotels and destinations worldwide that they feel are worthy of the "World's Best" title. The survey results are completely impartial and in 2009, thousands of readers participated.

Ambergris Today