International broadcaster CNN has rated the city of Cape Town as one of the world’s ten most loved cities, The New Age reported.

Reacting to the CNN rating, tourism, economic development and finance MEC Alan Winde said: “We are absolutely delighted that Cape Town has been chosen as one of the best loved cities in the world. It is great to see that the world loves our city as much as we do.”

Cape Town was chosen because of its wonder of wonders – Table Mountain – its architecture, good wine country, beaches with penguins, the lovely Waterfront and its shopping facilities, good weather, sweet harbour and its wonderful cosmopolitan welcome. Other cities that were rated include Barcelona, Montreal, New York, Paris, Petra, San Francisco, Santiago, Tokyo and Shangai.

“It is particularly encouraging that we have been listed by CNN, one of the most watched global news networks. This will further increase our exposure to international markets. In the last year, we experienced a 14% increase in international tourism arrivals at Cape Town International and we intend raising this figure," Winde said.