At the World Travel London (WTM), a leading event in the global tourism industry, Lithuania received recognition from Lonely Planet, one of the most influential travel guide publishers. During the event, which took place from 5 to 7 November, Lonely Planet named Lithuania the second-best travel destination globally for 2025 and the top destination in Europe.
On the first day of the event, Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet, presented the award to Olga Gončarova, General Manager of Travel Lithuania, who highlighted that this recognition would enhance Lithuania’s position in the global tourism market and create new opportunities for inbound tourism.
Key Attractions Recognised in Lonely Planet’s Ranking
In Lonely Planet’s recent ranking of the top 10 destinations for 2025, Lithuania secured second place globally, just behind Cameroon. The ranking particularly highlighted Lithuania’s key attractions:
– Vilnius: Known for its green spaces, vibrant atmosphere, and rich history, Vilnius offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and a modern bar and restaurant scene.
– Curonian Spit National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park is renowned for its striking landscapes, including sand dunes and pine forests.
– The Hill of Crosses: A significant pilgrimage site, the Hill of Crosses continues to attract visitors from around the world.
– Aukštaitija National Park: Famous for its natural beauty, this park allows visitors to immerse themselves in Lithuania’s stunning landscapes.
Along with Lithuania, the 2025 top 10 list includes Fiji, Laos, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Slovakia, and Armenia.
Strengthening Lithuania’s Tourism Connections
Gončarova expressed her enthusiasm about the new opportunities this award brings to Lithuania’s tourism sector. “Every year, interest in international tourism exhibitions grows, and this year, we’ve had more tourism businesses wanting to join Lithuania’s stand,” she said. “This Lonely Planet award will only increase international interest in Lithuania, particularly through the reach of journalists, influencers, and global tourism platforms like TripAdvisor.”At WTM London, Lithuania’s tourism delegation included Travel Lithuania, Vilnius and Kaunas tourism information centres, and seven inbound tourism operators. Their focus was not only to showcase Lithuania’s attractions but also to establish key connections in priority tourism markets.
Lonely Planet’s Ranking Criteria
Lonely Planet’s rankings are based on tourism infrastructure, service quality, safety, value, uniqueness, and sustainability. The list highlights destinations offering the novelty or authenticity of travel experience and those with significant events or cultural attractions likely to draw international attention.
For more information on Lithuania’s tourism highlights, visit Travel Lithuania and discover why the country is one of the must-visit destinations for 2025.
