Lonely Planet names Amman to its Best in Travel 2021 list

AMMAN — Lonely Planet, world’s leading publisher of the popular travel guides, has listed Amman in its Best in Travel picks for 2021, “singling out the Jordanian capital as one of the destinations, which are helping transform travel experiences”, the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) said in a statement.

Amman is recognised 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, the JTB said.  

“Amman welcomes the majority of our visitors to Jordan and we are very proud of its repuation as an inclusive destination,” said JTB Director General Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat in the statement. 

“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,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

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 historical sites like Mount Nebo, the Roman Theatre, the 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, multicultural city, the statement said.

Amman joins other world-class destinations and tour operators in receiving this award from Lonely Planet: 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, the US; and San Diego, the US.

Lonely Planet started the process for the Best in Travel 2021 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, read the statement.

“Travel is a much more considerate exercise in 2021 than it has been ever before,” Lonely Planet CEO Luis Cabrera said in the statement. 

“Best in Travel 2021 champions people, places and organisations that are making travel a force for good, all the more essential in a year when COVID-19 has disrupted and deprioritised travel. Best in Travel 2021 reflects how travel contributes to sustainability, community and inclusivity and showcases how we can best explore the world responsibly,” Cabrera noted.

After a tumultuous year for travel, Best in Travel also symbolises Lonely Planet’s commitment to these values, according to the statement. 

“We are taking the chance to re-emphasise 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,” Arabiyat said.  

“We are very honoured to have Amman recognised by Lonely Planet this year. ”