Donegal has been named the fourth-best region in the world to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet in their influential the Best in Travel awards.
A team headed up by Nitya Chambers and Tom Hall, who is a fan of Ireland’s tourism product, devised the list. it is the 13th Irish destination to feature in the 19-year history of the awards. which, as always, will raise a few eyebrows. Nairobi won the best city and Jakarta joins it in the top ten cities, as does Kansas in Missouri (but not Kansas, Kansas). Two of the “value” destinations recently featured amongst the most expensive in the world in another travel list. Defining a “region” has always proven controversial in the lists, and that is before we come to the sustainability list.
Vic O’Sullivan was the team’s most recent visitor to Donegal. The citation read: ‘Donegal has the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Sliabh Liag, at 601m (1972ft), and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails along the Wild Atlantic Way “Its ancient forts, musical traditions and rich heritage of the Irish language also make it an immersive experience for the curious visitor”.
The first guides were first published in 1974 by irish-born Maureen Wheeler and her husband Tom and to celebrate the 50th anniversary Lonely Planet is reissung their print edition for the event.
The main awards:
- Mongolia was named top country, for its wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and distinctive culinary and musical culture, ahead of of India, Morocco, Chile, Benin, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Croatia and St Lucia.
- Nairobi was named top city for its unique rhythms, impressive array of locally-inspired restaurants, and steady rotation of arts and culture venues. With its efforts to boost off-season travel, expand renewable energy, and bring tourism to previously overlooked destinations, ahead of Paris, Montreal, Mostar, Philadelphia, Manaus, Jakarta, Prague, Izmir, Kansas City Missouri.
- Midwest USA was named best value for its cities and varied food scenes, ahead of Poland, Nicaragua, Danube Limes, Bulgaria, Normandy, Egypt, Ikaria, Algeria, NZ Southern Lakes & Central Otago and Europe’s night trains,
- Spain was named best sustainable destination, well deserved for a sustainability and nature campaign by the tourist board, ahead of Patagonia, Greenland, Wales’ trails, Caminho Português de Santiago, Palau, Hokkaido, Japan, Ecuador, Baltic trails of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the eco-lodges in South Africa.
- Trans Dinarica cycling route through Slovenia, Montenegro and North Macedonia was named best region, ahead of Kangaroo Island, Tuscany, Donegal, País Vasco, Southern Thailand, Swahili Coast, Tanzania, Montana, USA, Saalfelden Leogang and north of Scotland.
In a release welcoming the award Tourism Ireland said activity to spread the good news will include:
- a PR and publicity push to top travel and lifestyle journalists around the world;
- work with travel photographers Hannes Becker (1.9m followers on Instagram) and Jonas Fellenstein (108,000 followers on Instagram), who will share great Donegal content;
- promotion on social media, including posts on Facebook (Tourism Ireland has 4.7m fans worldwide), Instagram (1.1m followers) and Twitter (563,000 followers);
- a page on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, with the Lonely Planet Best in Travel logo; and
- Signage highlighting the accolade at major travel fairs like the upcoming World Travel Market in London, the largest B2B event in the global travel and tourism calendar.
Ireland has made 13 appearances in the various Best in Travel lists from Lonely Planet since they were in traduced in 2005.
- Dublin seventh-best city in the world to visit in 2022;
- Burren Ecotourism Network ‘Best Community Tourism Project’ for 2021;
- Galway fourth-best city in the world to visit in 2020;
- Belfast and the Causeway Coast Number One Region in the world to visit in 2018;
- Skellig Ring drive a Top Ten Region to visit in 2017;
- Dublin third-best city in the world to visit in 2016
- Skellig Michael tenth best region in 2016
- Ireland fifth-best country in the world to visit in 2015.
- Derry featured in the top ten cities in 2013
- Cork featured in the top ten cities in 2008
- Clare finished among top ten cycling destination in 2008.
- Ireland friendliest country in the world in 2007 (the announcement came during WTM and the slogan was displayed on the Irish stand)
Nitya Chambers, SVP Content and Executive Editor of Lonely Planet said “best in Travel is the pinnacle of Lonely Planet’s travel inspiration, embodying the essence of authentic and sustainable exploration. It caters to the desires of travellers who yearn for genuine experiences, guided by local expertise.”
