Destination of the week
Canada Named Best Travel Destination In 2017 By Lonely Planet
By Alexandra Talty From Forbes
It seems that every election season American interest in Canada spikes and this year is no different. But our northern neighbor can offer more than just political refuge.
Thanks to a great tourism infrastructure and a weak Canadian dollar, the Lonely Planet named the country the best travel destination for 2017. So, whether you’re looking for a new home post-November 8th or just want an outdoorsy getaway, it is time for some poutine and Justin Trudeau.
“Canada is always popular with us,” said Lonely Planet‘s Canada destination editor Alex Howard, in an email. “But there are several things going on in 2017 that made it number one. First, it’s the country’s biggest birthday party in recent memory with the sesquicentennial next year, and they won’t be shy about celebrating. Also, international travelers can expect their money to go further due to the weak Canadian dollar, so now is the time to start planning a trip.”
Colombia ranks second, with the guidebook calling the South American country the “ultimate comeback kid.” Celebrating 100 years of independence in 2017, Finland came in third. The Scandinavian nation is hosting this year’s World Figure Skating Championships and Nordic Ski Championships, so get ready for some alpine fun.
The United States didn’t make this year’s list after being named the third best destination in 2016, but the editors say not to worry, as the list tries to highlight spots that are especially newsy. The guide book relies on their hundreds of writers and experts to come up with the extensive rankings that value both buzz as well as underrated or overlooked spot.Other countries that made the cut for 2017 include Myanmar, Oman, Dominica and Mongolia.
“Mongolia has been experiencing growth lately and it’s opening a brand new capital-city airport next year in Ulaanbaatar, which has been the biggest beneficiary of the economic boom,” said Lonely Planet’s North Asia destination editor Megan Eaves, in an email. “There will be lots of new development in 2017, and beyond the city walls, its countryside is stunning and traditional nomadic cultures still have a strong hold.”
Some travel trends that the company highlighted weremicrobreweries, sustainable travel and digital nomadism. Check out Lonely Planet’s full “Best in Travel 2017 Guide” here.
Alexandra Talty is a columnist and writer, with a tendency for nomadism. The founding Editor-in-Chief of StepFeed in the Middle East, she is also on Twitter.
IMAGES:
Beautiful architecture like the Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman, helped the desert oasis make Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 list. Photo credit: Lonely Planet.
Balconies leading to the cathedral in Cartagena, Colombia. The country was named second best destination by Lonely Planet in 2017. Photo credit: Lonely Planet.
Canada was named the top country to travel to in 2017, perhaps because of beautiful sites like Moraine Lake, picture here. Photo credit: Lonely Planet.
For more on this story go to: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2016/10/25/canada-named-best-travel-destination-in-2017-by-lonely-planet/2/#2df4e0eaed4f
