JUST THE FLIGHT: JUST THE FLIGHT

Tourism New Zealand is celebrating the many awards that the country has received over the past year.

Lonely Planet named New Zealand one of its top ten countries to visit in 2010, while Conde Nast Traveller listed it as one of the world's top five destinations for the sixth year in a row.

Dunedin also featured in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2010 guide for its birdwatching, cycling and dog walking experiences.

New Zealand's hospitality sector was recognised at a number of awards, with YHA Wellington City picking up the Virgin Holidays accolade for responsible tourism.

The Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Experience in Rotorua received two honours at the World Travel Awards and was also named the best hotel in New Zealand at the Travel and Leisure event in the US.

Other properties to be recognised at various ceremonies around the world include the Hyatt in Auckland and the George in Christchurch.

Looking forward to 2010, Tourism New Zealand predicted that it will be "an even more positive year", with various events set to take place including the build up to the rugby World Cup in 2011.