Lonely Planet has unveiled what it calls a “radical reimagining” of its popular “Best in Travel” picks to reflect the unprecedented past year of disruption in the travel. For the first time, the annual list spotlights not only places but also people and communities who are transforming the travel industry.
For 2021, the leading travel guidebook brand is looking ahead to the important changes taking place globally, from sustainability to diversity, and shining a light on the future of travel.
“Travel is a much more considerate exercise in 2021 than it has been ever before,” says Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera. “With travellers cautiously re-engaging with the world and focused on ensuring their impact is safe and positive for host communities, we have decided to highlight destinations and individuals that truly enable visitors to have transformative experiences and make genuine contributions.”
The 2021 list champions people who make travel a force for good; reflects how travel contributes to sustainability, community, and inclusivity; and, rather than delivering a destination bucket list, focusses on how people travel now: outdoors, in family groups, purposefully, and with careful attention to the communities they will explore.
Lonely Planet started the process for the 2021 Best in Travel list by seeking nominations
As a result, Lonely Planet’s picks fit this new approach and are tailored for travel in 2021. Highlights for “a year that’s going to be like no other” include:
Sustainability
The remarkable people and places transforming travel and making the world a better place – for now and future generations. Winners include:
• Storyteller – Soraya Abdel-Hadi
• Walks – Le Vie di Dante (Roads of Dante)
• Wildlife – Rwanda
• Emerging destination – Antigua & Barbuda
• Train – Rocky Mountaineer
• Food – Greece
• Cycling – Virginia Mountain Bike Trail
• Accommodation – Grootberg Lodge, Namibia
• Islands – Palau
• City – Gothenburg, Sweden
Diversity
Celebrating the people and places that illuminate the mosaic of stories and perspectives found around the world:
• Emerging Voice – Gabby Beckford, Packs Light
• Emerging destination – Costa Rica
• Multi-generational – El Hierro, Spain
• Indigenous food – Hiakai, New Zealand
• Inclusive storyteller – Jeff Jenkins, Chubby Diaries
• Inclusive tours – Wheels of the World
• LGBTIQ + storytellers – Karl Krause and Daan Colijn, Couple of Men
• Underexplored history – Gullah Islands, USA
• Cultural diversity – San Diego, USA
• Welcoming destination – Amman, Jordan
Community
• Tour – Invisible Cities, U.K.
• Accommodation – Kazakhstan
• Immersion – Faroe Islands
• Revitalization – Medellín, Colombia
• Trekking – Tesfa Tours, Ethiopia
• Restoration – Australia
• Storyteller – Hesham Moadamani, Refugee Voices Tours
• Community – Footprints Café, Cambodia
• Tourism project – Burren EcoTourism Network, Ireland
• Expat storyteller – Georgette Jupe, Girl In Florence
Later this month, Lonely Planet will announce readers’ nominations of their own favourite people and places that are shaping the future of travel this year and beyond. Reader’s Choice voting can be found on the Best in Travel landing page, www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel