New Delhi, May 1 (IANS): Owing to its rich culture and heritage, India is one of the top tourism destinations in Asia, a survey by CNN has said.

The study, 'CNN Consumer Connect Travel and Tourism 2013', has positioned India as the region's fourth fastest growing tourism destination and the third most attractive business for investment opportunities, after China and Hong Kong.

India was on the list of must-visit destinations in Asia Pacific, admitted one-fifth of the surveyed audience of global travellers. India has fended off competition from Japan and Thailand to rank as the second richest culture and heritage destination, after China.

"These results are great news for India and the Asia Pacific region as a whole," said Duncan Morris, vice president of research at Turner International Asia Pacific.

"CNN consumers are discerning, affluent global travellers and they clearly indicate a desire to visit this part of the world to enjoy a particular brand of hospitality, food, culture, everything that makes a travel experience distinctive."

The 14th edition of the survey polled over 3,000 readers based in over 70 countries around the world and was carried out between October and December 2012 and conducted by Ipsos.

Of the respondents, 69 percent were male and 31 percent females, with an average age of 40.