Global travel authority Lonely Planet has unveiled a radical reimagining of its much-anticipated Best in Travel picks for 2021, reflecting an unprecedented year of disruption in the travel industry, and Amman, Jordan has been singled out as one of the destinations which are helping transform travel experiences.
Amman is recognized as a Welcoming Destination, focusing on diversity and inclusivity. Lonely Planet’s award showcases people, tourism operators and destinations which share the stories and experiences of a variety of people from around the world, ensuring a more diverse representation in travel.
“Amman welcomes the majority of our visitors to Jordan and we are very proud of its reputation as an inclusive destination,” said Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board North America. “It is also home to some of our most awe-inspiring historical sites, and is becoming renowned for its culinary and shopping experiences. As the gateway to the rest of the country, spending time in Amman is a highly recommended part of every trip to Jordan and is often cited as the main reason people wish to return to Jordan again and again.”
Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan and the country’s economic, political and cultural centre. With a population of 4,007,526, Amman is the largest city in the Levant region and the sixth-largest city in the Arab world. As well as being home to Jordan’s world famous historic sites like Mount Nebo, Roman Ampitheatre, Citadel and Archeology Museum (which houses some of the Dead Sea Scrolls), the city is among the most popular locations in the Arab world for multinational corporations to set up their regional offices, ensuring a modern, multi-cultural city.
Amman joins other world class destinations and tour operators in receiving this award from Lonely Planet:
Diversity
Everyone has a different story to tell. Celebrate the people and places that illuminate the mosaic of stories and perspectives found around the world. Winners include:
- Gabby Beckford, Packs Light
- Costa Rica
- El Hierro, Spain
- Hiakai, New Zealand
- Jeff Jenkins, Chubby Diaries
- Wheels of the World
- Karl Krause and Daan Colijn, Couple of Men
- Gullah Islands, USA
- San Diego, USA
- Amman, Jordan
Lonely Planet started the process for the 2021 Best in Travel list by seeking nominations from Lonely Planet’s vast community of staff, writers, photographers, videographers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and, like the rest of the travel world, Lonely Planet hit the pause button. But other things changed too. The conversation surrounding diversity took a decisive shift. The future of travel moved towards small-group engagement and decades-old issues like over tourism came back to the forefront. As a result, Lonely Planet’s picks fit this new approach and are tailored for travel in 2021 — a year that’s going to be like no other.
“Travel is a much more considerate exercise in 2021 than it has been ever before,” Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera said. “Best in Travel 2021 champions people, places and organizations that are making travel a force for good, all the more essential in a year when COVID-19 has disrupted and deprioritized travel. Best in Travel 2021 reflects how travel contributes to sustainability, community and inclusivity and showcases how we can best explore the world responsibly.”
After a tumultuous year for travel, Best in Travel also symbolizes Lonely Planet’s commitment to these values. “We are taking the chance to re-emphasize what we are here for and why: our mission remains to make travel a force for good,” said Cabrera.
“Lonely Planet continues to reflect the tourism development values among Jordan’s tourism industry, to create a sustainable, regenerative and inclusive industry that drives positive economic growth across the country,” says Asfour. “We are very honoured to have Amman recognized by Lonely Planet this year.”
For more information on the Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2021 list, go to www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel. Award destinations can also be explored with Lonely Planet’s Guides app for free and on social media channels via #BestInTravel. For more information on Jordan and Amman, go to www.myjordanjourney.com
