SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego Zoo was named the best in the world in TripAdvisor.com's Travelers' Choice awards, it was announced Wednesday.
"The Travelers' Choice awards are recognizing the top zoos and aquariums around the world that are the favorites of the TripAdvisor community," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for the Internet site where travelers leave reviews of hotels, restaurants and attractions.
"Travelers visiting these award-winning attractions can get a close look and learn about the magnificent creatures that inhabit the world around us," Messing said.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for zoos and aquariums worldwide, gathered over a one-year period, according to TripAdvisor.
In the world rankings, the San Diego Zoo beat out Loro Parque of Puerto de la Cruz, Spain, and the Singapore Zoo.
In the U.S., the San Diego Zoo ranked ahead of the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and the St. Louis Zoo. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park ranked 10th in the U.S.
The Travelers' Choice awards for amusement parks listed SeaWorld San Diego as 23rd in the U.S., while a list of aquariums ranked the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla 17th in the country.
