National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards 2017
Our third annual Reader Awards in association with Qatar is the definitive word on the best places, experiences, hotels, operators, attractions, media and more, as shortlisted by our judges and voted for by you.
Our third annual Reader Awards in association with Qatar is the definitive word on the best places, experiences, hotels, operators, attractions, media and more, as shortlisted by our judges and voted for by you. There’s a host of exciting new categories this year — and we received a massive variety of responses to our survey. From some of the world’s best-loved destinations and brands to the attractions that really should be on everyone’s radar, our winners are some of the best in business. The results were announced on 27 November at an awards ceremony at the May Fair Hotel, and will be published in the Jan/Feb 2018 issue of the magazine.
The Winners
RISING STAR (CITY/REGION)
The destinations making a name for themselves.
Belfast
RETURN TICKET (COUNTRY)
It’s the destination you keep going back to, again and again.
Italy
NEW NATIONAL TREASURE (UK ATTRACTION)
Britain’s best new attractions. It could have opened in 2016 or launched a new exhibit, or maybe it’s made some changes and is finally finding its groove.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
FAR & AWAY (OVERSEAS ATTRACTION)
Be it a thought-provoking museum or a thrilling theme park, new experiences and attractions are popping up all over the world.
Lost City of Kuelap, Peru
LANDMARK LEGEND (FAMOUS ATTRACTION)
All-time favourite monuments or sights that exceeded expectations.
Taj Mahal, India
ONE FOR THE KIDS (FAMILY EXPERIENCE)
From savvy tour outfits and resorts, to tailor-made activities and idyllic places, these are the travel experiences that please all the family.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
RIGHT TRACK (RAIL)
Celebrating rail experiences, from luxury transcontinental journeys to impeccably serviced short hops, or high-tech, high-speed connections that make sitting in a seat a unique travel pleasure.
Eurostar e320 fleet
THE EXPERIENCE (TRAVEL EXPERIENCE)
The bucket-list experiences that really brought a destination to life.
South African safari
ACROSS THE WAVES (CRUISE & FERRY)
From smooth-riding river cruises to plush ferry services, these are the travel experiences afloat that left you feeling truly buoyant.
MS Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
DOMESTIC BLISS (UK HOTEL)
What sets a hotel apart from the rest? Is it its indie spirit, innovative design or unique British service?
Gleneagles Hotel, Perth and Kinross
THE DESTINATION HOTEL (OVERSEAS HOTEL)
Some hotels are destinations in their own right. A great hotel can give you an insider’s take on a place, and with great design and carefully curated facilities, they can be far more than just a place to lay your head.
Raffles Singapore
TRAVEL EXPERTS (TRAVEL COMPANY)
The brains behind the operation — agents and operators have the inspiration and know-how to turn our whims into expertly organised, once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Trailfinders
HIGH CLASS (AIRLINE EXPERIENCE)
From seating to service, entertainment to ambience, these guys excelled.
Emirates
TRUE CLASS (AIRLINE VALUE)
It isn’t necessarily about no-frills flying — these are the carriers that offer genuine value for money.
Easyjet
GREEN LIGHT (ECO TRAVEL)
Be it a hotel, a travel company, a region or attraction, we’re applauding the forward-thinking eco warriors out there.
The Ocean Cleanup
THE ORACLE (WEBSITE)
Blogs and vlogs, booking sites and review platforms — these are the online resources that make 21st-century travel a joy.
TripAdvisor
BOOK WORM (BOOK)
A travel book knocked your socks off? Took you on a literary foray to lands unknown? Expanded your mind and inspired your next trip?
The Best American Travel Writing, edited by Bill Bryson (Mariner Books)
SCREEN & SOUND (TV & RADIO)
A TV or radio programme that encapsulates all that’s good about travel.
Joanna Lumley’s Postcards (ITV)
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TRAVEL
Rick Stein
The Shortlist
RISING STAR (CITY/REGION)
The destinations making a name for themselves.
Belfast
Donegal
Hull
RETURN TICKET (COUNTRY)
It’s the destination you keep going back to, again and again.
Italy
Spain
USA
NEW NATIONAL TREASURE (UK ATTRACTION)
Britain’s best new attractions. It could have opened in 2016 or launched a new exhibit, or maybe it’s made some changes and is finally finding its groove.
Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum, London
Iron Bridge, Shropshire
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
FAR & AWAY (OVERSEAS ATTRACTION)
Be it a thought-provoking museum or a thrilling theme park, new experiences and attractions are popping up all over the world.
La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux, France
Lost City of Kuelap, Peru
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, USA
LANDMARK LEGEND (FAMOUS ATTRACTION)
All-time favourite monuments or sights that exceeded expectations.
Grand Canyon, USA
Machu Picchu, Peru
Taj Mahal, India
ONE FOR THE KIDS (FAMILY EXPERIENCE)
From savvy tour outfits and resorts, to tailor-made activities and idyllic places, these are the travel experiences that please all the family.
Center Parcs
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Legoland
RIGHT TRACK (RAIL)
Celebrating rail experiences, from luxury transcontinental journeys to impeccably serviced short hops, or high-tech, high-speed connections that make sitting in a seat a unique travel pleasure.
Eurostar e320 fleet
Railway Touring Company’s ‘The Hadrian’ tour on the Flying Scotsman, UK
Train Suite Shiki-shima, Japan
THE EXPERIENCE (TRAVEL EXPERIENCE)
The bucket-list experiences that really brought a destination to life.
Grand Canyon helicopter tour
New Zealand road trip
South African safari
ACROSS THE WAVES (CRUISE & FERRY)
From smooth-riding river cruises to plush ferry services, these are the travel experiences afloat that left you feeling truly buoyant.
MS Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
MS Spitsbergen, Hurtigruten
MV Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises
DOMESTIC BLISS (UK HOTEL)
What sets a hotel apart from the rest? Is it its indie spirit, innovative design or unique British service?
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
Gleneagles Hotel, Perth and Kinross
The Pig on the Beach, Dorset
THE DESTINATION HOTEL (OVERSEAS HOTEL)
Some hotels are destinations in their own right. A great hotel can give you an insider’s take on a place, and with great design and carefully curated facilities, they can be far more than just a place to lay your head.
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Raffles Singapore
TRAVEL EXPERTS (TRAVEL COMPANY)
The brains behind the operation — agents and operators have the inspiration and know-how to turn our whims into expertly organised, once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Kuoni
Thomas Cook
Trailfinders
HIGH CLASS (AIRLINE EXPERIENCE)
From seating to service, entertainment to ambience, these guys excelled.
British Airways
Emirates
Virgin Atlantic
TRUE CLASS (AIRLINE VALUE)
It isn’t necessarily about no-frills flying — these are the carriers that offer genuine value for money.
British Airways
Easyjet
Ryanair
GREEN LIGHT (ECO TRAVEL)
Be it a hotel, a travel company, a region or attraction, we’re applauding the forward-thinking eco warriors out there.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kenya
Crieff Hydro, Scotland
The Ocean Cleanup
THE ORACLE (WEBSITE)
Blogs and vlogs, booking sites and review platforms — these are the online resources that make 21st-century travel a joy.
Airbnb
Booking.com
TripAdvisor
BOOK WORM (BOOK)
A travel book knocked your socks off? Took you on a literary foray to lands unknown? Expanded your mind and inspired your next trip?
Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads, by Paul Theroux (Hamish Hamilton)
Rain: Four Walks in English Weather, by Melissa Harrison (Faber & Faber)
The Best American Travel Writing, edited by Bill Bryson (Mariner Books)
SCREEN & SOUND (TV & RADIO)
A TV or radio programme that encapsulates all that’s good about travel.
Great America Railroad Journeys (BBC2)
Joanna Lumley’s Postcards (ITV)
Travel Man: 48 Hours In… (Channel 4)
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TRAVEL
To be announced
