The Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau is thrilled to announce that Newport has been named the �Most Hospitable City� by the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA).

NATJA is a professional organization of travel savvy individuals including travel writers, photographers, broadcasters, and professionals from the hospitality industry. The members of NATJA annually review their experiences in a vote for the world�s best travel providers ranging from hoteliers to cruise lines to tour operators and publicists. A total of 19 awards were given to world-class providers, which put destination Newport in the ranks among notables such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (Best Hotel Chain), the US Virgin Islands (Best Domestic Destination), and Crystal Cruise Lines (Best Cruise Line).

�This is a tremendous honor for our city! To be singled out by a group that regularly travels all over the world is a tribute to the members of our hospitality community who work so hard to create such an incredible destination,� states Mayor Richard Sardella. �Newport has been a destination of choice for hundreds of years, and it is clear that our popularity stems from our ability to create such a hospitable experience.�

NATJA held their first conference in Newport last May and had the opportunity to experience Newport�s welcoming hospitality and charm in the attractions, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Throughout their visit, the members of the organization repeatedly commented on how well the destination worked cooperatively to make the experience enjoyable. As a result of their experiences in Newport, more than 30 articles about the destination have appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide and have also been placed on the Internet.

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Media Contact: Anne Marie McLaughlin +1 401-845-9151 AnneMarieM@GoNewport.com