September 16, 2022, 7:26 am | Read time: 7 minutes
Especially in the cooler months, many travelers long for warm, distant lands. There are undoubtedly plenty of enticing long-haul destinations, but which are the best? The expert jury of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD has selected the top 5 long-haul destinations on different continents.
Traveling as far away as possible has a special allure. The greater the distance, the more unfamiliar, unusual, and interesting the destination seems to be. While there are dreamlike long-haul destinations on most continents, which are the best?
TRAVELBOOK readers have chosen their favorite long-haul destinations. The most frequently mentioned–USA, Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, and Costa Rica–were closely examined and evaluated by the expert jury of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD. Here are the results of the ranking.
The 5 Best Long-Haul Destinations
1st Place: Costa Rica
Initially, Costa Rica ranked second in the evaluation of the criteria catalogs with a total score of 233 points. However, after further discussion within the jury and careful consideration, the Central American country was ultimately placed first in the top 5. Thus, Costa Rica is the best long-haul destination, excelling particularly in ecology, value for money, and activity offerings.
The country, with its manageable size, is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, bordering Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica stands out for its diverse landscapes. In addition to jungles, miles of beaches, and volcanoes, the country boasts numerous species of animals and plants. Costa Rica combines wilderness, nature, and pure life. “Pura Vida” is truly lived here.
Peace is also a priority in this green paradise of Central America. Since 1949, Costa Rica has had no military. Additionally, Costa Rica is the first country in the world to be recognized for its environmental policy. The fact that Costa Rica offers so much in a small area and that one can see a lot in a short time also earned the Central American country extra points in the evaluation.
You can find the winner of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2022 in the category “Best City Destination” here.
2nd Place: Australia
Australia ranks second among the best long-haul destinations. The country impresses with a diverse range of activities and safety. However, Australia has become expensive, especially hotel prices. Additionally, Australia’s accessibility leaves much to be desired. The jury was also disappointed with sustainability aspects, particularly in Western Australia.
Nevertheless, the possibilities for travelers to Australia are overwhelming. The island continent spans six different climate zones and offers deserts, jungles, stunning beaches, and world cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Whether it’s a city trip, outback adventure, or diving vacation, Australia has something for everyone.
3rd Place: USA
While ecology and social sustainability were rated less favorably by the TRAVELBOOK AWARD jury, and the criteria of human rights and safety sparked discussions, the USA still landed in third place in the ranking, thanks to its wide range of activities and excellent accessibility.
The land of unlimited possibilities offers everything from bustling metropolises to untouched landscapes. There are more than 60 national parks in the United States, and the many cities each have their own charm. New York City, for example, is always worth a visit and also made it into the top 5 in the “Best City Destination” category of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD. Beach lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in the USA, especially along the East Coast, which offers beautiful spots for a beach vacation.
You can find the winner of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2022 in the category “Best World Cuisine” here.
4th Place: South Africa
South Africa is known for its diverse wildlife and extraordinary landscapes. The country at the southern tip of Africa offers much more: It is considered one of the most contrasting countries and scored well in the ranking of the best long-haul destinations with its extensive range of activities. The jury was largely in agreement when evaluating South Africa. Despite the variety of opportunities and good accessibility, the criteria of human rights, social sustainability, and safety were rated poorly.
However, it still secured fourth place. Breathtaking mountain ranges, white sand dunes, rugged cliffs, small villages, beautiful beaches, and fascinating national parks shape South Africa’s landscape. Cape Town with the Cape of Good Hope is just one of the many must-sees in South Africa. The beaches of Durban or the Kruger National Park should not be missed either.
You can find the winner of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2022 in the category “Best Region for a Winter Vacation” here.
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5th Place: Indonesia
The Southeast Asian country of Indonesia scores poorly in the categories of human rights, safety, and social sustainability. Nevertheless, the world’s largest archipelago is considered one of the most beautiful long-haul destinations for a reason.
Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands. Bali, the Gili Islands, and Lombok have long been known as vacation paradises, attracting tourists from around the world. But other islands like Sulawesi and Borneo also entice visitors with their miles of beaches, rainforests, and a wide variety of animal and plant species. The country also scores with a good value for money.
You can find an overview of all the winners of the TRAVELBOOK AWARD 2022 here.
TRAVELBOOK AWARD: Methodology
Selection of Nominees
The basis for the nominations in each category was a call to the TRAVELBOOK community. On Facebook and Instagram, followers and subscribers were asked between December 2021 and February 2022 which destinations they would suggest for each category. Nearly 1,000 suggestions were submitted in total. It was then evaluated how often a destination was mentioned. Based on the most frequently mentioned travel destinations and national and international diversity, editorial decisions were made on which places were actually nominated and subsequently analyzed by the jury based on the criteria catalog.
Jury Criteria Catalog
The expert jury had to answer a detailed criteria catalog for each destination and category. A score from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good) could be awarded for each. These were some of the criteria:
- Ecology: This included environmental awareness at the destination. For example, conservation programs, ecotourism, and the promotion of species preservation, as well as education for locals and tourists and the use of energy-efficient technologies, were evaluated.
- Social Sustainability: The working conditions for the local population were considered. Equal opportunities in access to education, the labor market, health care, and political decision-making processes also played a role.
- Human Rights: This evaluated how the destination supports the observance of freedom, equality, and inviolability rights for people of all religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and political beliefs.
- Public Transport: The extent of public transport, accessibility, service, prices, technology and sustainability, passenger satisfaction, crisis management, and the number and frequency of failures and accidents were analyzed.
Further information on the criteria catalog and methodology can be found here.