Orbitz Food & Wine Index says 'cheers!' to Okanagan and Niagara

(Originally published in TOURISM)

The 2007 Orbitz Food & Wine Index has listed Niagara and the Okanagan as "possible future top destinations and drive-to regions north of the US border."

Released last month, the index recommends Osoyoos and Penticton as must-see regions out west, while out east Niagara-on-the-Lake tops the charts. Orbitz tended toward words like "nestled" and "quaint" to describe both regions and touted both the cuisine and the cultural draw of each destination.

Asked how they compile the annual index, Orbitz's Jim Cohn said the company looks at historical data and future bookings to decide which destinations deserve a lift of your glass. "We do a year-over-year comparison to figure the growth percentage. From 2005-2007, both Niagara and the Okanagan demonstrated significant growth."

Cohn also pointed out that Orbitz's team of in-house travel experts weighed in on the index. They consider facts such as destination accessibility and variety of accommodation before deciding which regions "toast the most."

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