(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) – Lake Tahoe is tops among travelers, so say the users of TripAdvisor, who ranked Lake Tahoe as the number one U.S. destination for the 2008 TripAdvisor Inaugural Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards. Lake Tahoe was also ranked tenth in the world for travelers’ favorites in the TripAdvisor list, which was released yesterday.

“TripAdvisor is considered the world’s largest travel community,” Andy Chapman, director of tourism with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, said. “To be ranked as the preferred destination in the country and number 10 in the world is thrilling and an absolute honor, especially since this distinction comes from those that know Lake Tahoe the best, having experienced our product firsthand – the travelers.”

According to TripAdvisor, the Destinations Awards represent the opinion of millions of travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of TripAdvisor travelers’ favorite places and overall popularity on TripAdvisor.

“Whether it’s the unique beauty or abundance of attractions, the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards honor the most beloved destinations from around the world,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “Determined by millions of travelers, the Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards are unique because they single out not just popular places but truly exceptional places that enthrall travelers and keep them coming back.”

Lake Tahoe faced stiff competition, as the top five favorites in the U.S. also included Big Sur, California; San Francisco, California; Poipu, 

Hawaii; and Sedona, Arizona. Top in the world were Milford Sound, New Zealand; Queenstown, New Zealand; Philipsburg, St. Maarten;

and Cayo Largo, Cuba. Lake Tahoe is also popular with those frequenting Orbitz.com, when last winter it was ranked the number one 

destination for hotel and  vacation packages booked by travelers at Orbitz.com for travel between November 20 and May 1, 2008.

With North America’s largest alpine lake as the centerpiece and massive granite peaks as the backdrop, Lake Tahoe’s scenery is unparalleled. Also making it a popular travel destination is its luxurious lodging accommodations, as well as easy access via the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and VIP airport shuttles for groups of any size.

North Lake Tahoe is also home to a bevy of special events, including the Lake Tahoe Music Festival (July 17 through August 9), comprised of numerous and varied outdoor concerts, and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (July and August) with bard performances on the sandy shores of Incline Village. The 23^rd Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival (September 5-7) serves as the pinnacle of all food events in North Lake Tahoe and features cooking and outdoor grilling classes with celebrity chefs, Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off (Iron Chef style), reserve wine and spirits tastings, boutique winery tastings, a grape stomp, winery dinners and special restaurant presentations and tasting events, live wine auction, as well as the Farmer’s Market and Gourmet Marketplace.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.