The Argentinean capital was selected by thousands of foreign and domestic visitors to Buenos Aires who cited the city's rich cultural offerings as its top selling point.

Buenos Aires attracts more than 10 million tourists per year with a significant increase in the number of visitors to its museums in the last six years.

Numbers have risen from 840,263 per year in 2007 to 1,370,500 per year in 2012, an increase of 63 per cent, which is largely due to a number of initiatives such as the "Museums Miles Programme" that was created to ensure that museums are easily accessible to all citizens and tourists.

Buenos Aires 2018 bid leader Francisco Irarrazaval, who is also the city's Under-Secretary of Sport, said the latest accolade will help keep momentum behind the capital's push to host the Youth Olympic Games.

"As we continue in our bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games we are delighted to hear that the cultural offerings in our city are proving so popular with the tourists that are visiting from all corners of the world," he said.

"The many cultural and artistic exhibitions that are available throughout Buenos Aires perfectly complement the unique culture and vibrancy that we would provide as part of the Culture and Education Programme should we win the right to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games."


Hernan Lombardi, the Minister of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires, has also pledged support for the bid.

"To receive this prestigious award from Condé Nast magazine is fantastic news for the city Buenos Aires and its citizens," said Lombardi.

"To be held in such high esteem by those who have visited and seen first-hand what is on offer is a marvellous achievement.

"Hopefully we will have the honour of also welcoming young athletes and the Olympic Family for the Youth Olympic Games in 2018."

Buenos Aires is up against Glasgow, Guadalajara, Medellín and Rotterdam for the right to stage the third Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2018 with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board due to announce the shortlisted Candidate Cities on February 13 at its meeting in Lausanne.

The full IOC membership will then elect a host city in Lausanne on July 4 this year.

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