If you’re looking for an exciting vacation spot to visit next year, you might not have to stray too far from home.
Canada has been named the number one travel destination for 2017 in Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel series which hit shelves Tuesday. The travel media publisher cites the country’s 150th anniversary, its cities’ livability rankings and a low Canadian dollar as some of the reasons why international travellers might want to visit next year.
“Canada is always popular with us,” Alex Howard, Canada’s destination editor said on a press release. “But there’s so much happening in 2017 that made it number one. It’s the country’s biggest birthday party in recent memory with the sesquicentennial next year, and they won’t be shy about celebrating. Now is the time to start planning a trip.”
The “energetic” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “wave of positivity” and also gets a mention on the Lonley Planet site.
The company also named Bourdeaux, France as the top city to visit next year. Here’s a look at the top 10 rankings:
By country:
- Canada
- Colombia
- Finland
- Dominica
- Nepal
- Bermuda
- Mongolia
- Oman
- Myanmar
- Ethiopia
By city:
- Bordeaux, France
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Los Angeles, U.S.
- Mérida, Mexico
- Ohrid, Macedonia
- Pistoia, Italy
- Seoul, South Korea
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Moscow, Russia
- Portland, U.S.
The tourism sector has seen a boost from a lower loonie. Spending by international visitors grew 1 per cent in the second quarter, following a 4.1 per cent gain at the beginning of the year according to Statistics Canada.
“[W]ith a weak Canadian dollar pushing down prices, the overseas visitor should have plenty of pocket money to spend on Canada’s exciting fusion food and mysteriously underrated wine,” Lonely Planet said on its website.
As for what locations you should visit, the company ranks the Haida Gwaii archipelago, the Rockies and Nahanni National Park among its “Canada’s top 25.” Hockey is in there, too.
