COLUMN
#91, 31 January, 2005
Hot Spots: LP Staffers' Top Destinations for 2005
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It
has become a tradition each December to ask Lonely Planet
staffers around the globe to name the top travel destinations
for the new year, and then to announce the results of this
poll in early January. As usual, we conducted the poll in
the middle of December last year, but we have delayed announcing
the results of the poll this year out of respect for our cherished
friends in the Indian Ocean countries affected by the tsunamis.
Of course, critical relief efforts continue in those countries
and will continue as the regions recover and rebuild; at the
same time, we recognize that travel to those areas is part
of the rebuilding process - and we also recognize, as the
tsunamis have proven once again, how important tourism is
to so many countries throughout the world. It is in this spirit
of recognizing travel's enduring importance and allure that
we now announce the winners of the 2005 Lonely Planet staff
poll.
Six countries
emerged as clear favorites this year. As intriguing evidence
of the rapidly shifting nature of the travel world, only one
of these six countries appeared on last year's list of winners.
Here are this year's top picks:
1.
Croatia
2. China
3. Argentina
4. United States
5. Italy and Costa Rica (tie)
Croatia
soared to the top of this year's poll after a fourth-place
finish last year. Croatia's appeal was its unique combination
of culture, history, cuisine, accessibility and affordability.
As one staffer wrote, "This is Croatia's year. It appeals
to a wide range of travellers with its rich diversity of attractions.
And it has not yet been over-touristed, but it has developed
an excellent tourism infrastructure -- so that it suits both
adventurous travellers and those who need a degree of comfort
in their planning." Another staffer wrote, "Croatia's
combination of easy accessibility (it's within driving distance
of a large chunk of Europe), relative affordability (especially
compared to the beach countries like Spain and Italy), and
high quality will mean that it will be a 'hot' destination
again this year." Other staffers lauded its "stunning
beaches and islands," "magnificent food" and
"wonderfully preserved towns such as Dubrovnik."
Congratulations, Croatia!
Link
to the complete article on the Lonely Planet website, along
with more photographs of the above story:
Lonely Planet: Hot
Spots: LP Staffers' Top Destination for 2005
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