As our world came to a full stop this year, we looked in the mirror to reflect on how we can best empower our readers to travel responsibly and become agents of positive change. And we realized that to reimagine travel post-2020, we needed to reinvent ourselves first, so we updated our editorial practices to highlight more local and diverse voices. We also decided to make this year’s Best in Travel different by recognizing places and people demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability, community and diversity. And that’s only the beginning. We salute all the winners!

— LUIS CABRERA,PRESIDENT & CEO

Winners include Rwanda for its success with the International Gorilla Conservation Programme; Gothenburg, Sweden; and the Virginia Mountain Bike Trail

This year you might have noticed that Lonely Planet is doing things differently with Best in Travel 2021 awards. Instead of celebrating destinations, trends and experiences Lonely Planet thinks will be big next year, Lonely Planet are celebrating the people and projects who make any destination special. The ones who are transforming travel for the better and pushing for positive change in three categories: sustainability, diversity and community.

Even before the pandemic turned tourism upside down, sustainability was becoming a major focus in the industry. Travelers were reconciling their desire to see the world with their environmental values. Destinations sought ways to protect once-unspoiled places from becoming overcrowded. There were greater opportunities for tours, accommodations and experiences to gain meaningful green credentials. And as flying came under increased scrutiny, we saw an increase in eco-friendly ways to travel.