Shortlist announced: National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards 2017, in association with Qatar Tourism Authority

Readers voted for their favourite destination, airline, tour operator and more

The shortlist has been announced for the third annual National Geographic Traveller (UK) Reader Awards 2017, in association with Qatar Tourism Authority. The 2017 awards has seen categories revamped this year to cover a broader range of experience and to reflect what’s new in the travel industry.

Readers voted for their favourite destination, airline, tour operator and more, with the winners set to be announced during a ceremony at London’s The May Fair Hotel on 27 November and in the Jan/Feb 2018 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Pat Riddell, editor of National Geographic Traveller, said: “For our third annual Reader Awards we revamped the categories to better reflect our readers’ views, and we’re very pleased with the range and variety of responses we received. From some of the world’s best-loved destinations and brands to some of the attractions that really should be on everyone’s radar, this shortlist is indicative of the best in travel.

“The results will be announced in just over a month but at this stage I’d like to offer a huge congratulations to all the finalists for being so highly thought of by our readers.”

Voters were automatically entered into a prize draw. Holiday prizes included an eight-night walking holiday for two in the Pyrenees with Voyages-sncf.com, Toulouse Tourist Office and Purely Pyrenees; and a four-night spa trip to Domaine La Butte aux Bois, Belgium, courtesy of Relais & Châteaux and Niche Destinations. An Amazon Echo, two Amazon Kindles and 20 National Geographic Traveller (UK) subscriptions were also up for grabs.

natgeotraveller.co.uk/readerawards



2017 READER AWARDS SHORTLIST:

RISING STAR (CITY/REGION)
Belfast
Donegal
Hull

RETURN TICKET (COUNTRY)
Italy
Spain
USA

NEW NATIONAL TREASURE (UK ATTRACTION)
Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum, London
Iron Bridge, Shropshire
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

FAR & AWAY (OVERSEAS ATTRACTION)
La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux, France
Lost City of Kuelap, Peru
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, USA

LANDMARK LEGEND (FAMOUS ATTRACTION)
Grand Canyon, USA
Machu Picchu, Peru
Taj Mahal, India

ONE FOR THE KIDS (FAMILY EXPERIENCE)
Center Parcs
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Legoland

RIGHT TRACK (RAIL)
Eurostar e320 fleet, UK-France
Railway Touring Company’s ‘The Hadrian’ tour on the Flying Scotsman, UK
Train Suite Shiki-shima, Japan

THE EXPERIENCE (TRAVEL EXPERIENCE)
Grand Canyon helicopter tour
New Zealand road trip
South African safari

ACROSS THE WAVES (CRUISE & FERRY)
MS Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
MS Spitsbergen, Hurtigruten
MV Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises

DOMESTIC BLISS (UK HOTEL)
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
Gleneagles Hotel, Perth and Kinross
The Pig on the Beach, Dorset

THE DESTINATION HOTEL (OVERSEAS HOTEL)
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Raffles Singapore

TRAVEL EXPERTS (TRAVEL COMPANY)
Kuoni
Thomas Cook
Trailfinders

HIGH CLASS (AIRLINE EXPERIENCE)
British Airways
Emirates
Virgin Atlantic

TRUE CLASS (AIRLINE VALUE)
British Airways
Easyjet
Ryanair

GREEN LIGHT (ECO TRAVEL)
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kenya
Crieff Hydro, Scotland
The Ocean Cleanup

THE ORACLE (WEBSITE)
Airbnb
Booking.com
TripAdvisor

BOOK WORM (BOOK)
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)
Great America Railroad Journeys (BBC2)
Joanna Lumley’s Postcards (ITV)
Travel Man: 48 Hours In… (Channel 4)

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TRAVEL
To be announced

Sponsors of the National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards 2017 are:

HEADLINE SPONSOR
Qatar Tourism Authority
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) works with stakeholders to promote the development of a sustainable and mature tourism sector, positioning the country as a leading tourism destination.
qatartourism.gov.qa

SPONSORS
Costa Rica Tourism Board
Sri Lanka Bespoke

For more information, please visit natgeotraveller.co.uk/readerawards


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The National Geographic Traveller (UK) digital edition is available for Apple, Android and Kindle devices: ngtr.uk/NGTdigital

Notes

National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published under license by APL Media Limited, from National Geographic Partners LLC in Washington, D.C. The 180-page travel and lifestyle magazine was launched in December 2010, and is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives. natgeotraveller.co.uk

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP) is a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. NGP returns 27 percent of its proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. nationalgeographic.com

National Geographic Society is a leading nonprofit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. They support educators to ensure that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. National Geographic Society aspires to create a community of change, advancing key insights about the planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time. Their goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. nationalgeographic.org


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