Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards: Top U.S. and Global Cities Explained

Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards ranking of top cities in the U.S. and around the world is discussed with senior features editor Morgan Spera. The conversation covers how the reader survey is conducted, what the results indicate about traveler preferences, and how selected destinations have changed over time.

■ Survey and ranking context
- 800,000 readers vote across destinations, hotels, airports, and other travel categories
- Results reflect destinations with dedicated fans and return visitors, not only the most-visited places

■ U.S. cities
- Chicago ranks first among large U.S. cities; New York is fourth
- Three California cities appear among large cities, but Los Angeles is not included
- Small-city examples include Greenville, South Carolina; Lexington, Kentucky; and Charleston

■ International destinations
- San Juan, Puerto Rico, is noted for food, nightlife, and as a base for travel around the island
- The global top three are Seoul, Tokyo, and Phnom Penh
- Porto is highlighted as a second-city example with food, architecture, and a river; a direct flight from New York is mentioned

Viewers planning trips or interested in travel rankings can use the discussion to understand how reader-voted lists are formed and which destinations are recognized. It provides an overview of selected cities and factors that may contribute to their appeal, rather than a complete destination guide.