In good news for New Zealand, well-respected travel publication Lonely Planet has ranked Taranaki second in its Top 10 places to travel in 2017.
The world’s largest travel guide Lonely Planet lists Taranaki as one of its 10 top regions, in Best In Travel 2017.
Best in Travel 2017 is Lonely Planet’s 12th annual collection of the world’s hottest trends, destinations and experiences. In it are announced the top cities, regions, and travel destinations as recommended by Lonely Planet guides for the year ahead.
Taranaki’s newest gallery, New Plymouth’s Len Lye Centre, was described as “deliciously offbeat,” and Egmont National Park as home to “a magnificent hiking trail.”
New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd said that he was not surprised to hear the news, and that it made him “totally happy!”
Judd added that Taranaki’s diversity and natural environment is only small part of Taranaki’s appeal as a tourist destination. “Whenever you are in Taranaki, you should visit Tawhiti Museum in Hawera, and our open air art gallery, and the Len Lye Centre, “ Judd proudly declared.
Tawhiti Museum
In order to make the list, destinations selected for Best in Travel must meet specific criteria. Examples are that plans are afoot for something special in the upcoming year; perhaps there’s a lot of buzz about a recent development; the area might offer travelers new things to see or do; or the experts at Lonely Planet believe a place has been overlooked or underrated in the past.
In 2017 Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Regions are:
- Choquequirao, Peru
- Taranaki, New Zealand
- The Azores, Portugal
- North Wales, UK
- South Australia
- Aysén, Chile
- The Tuamotus, French Polynesia
- Coastal Georgia, USA
- Perak, Malaysia
- The Skellig Ring, Ireland
