Jessica Reid | 21 June 2023
Shortlist revealed for 2023 World Guide Awards - register now
After receiving thousands of nominations, we've whittled them down to just 11 impressive finalists. Here's our shortlist for the 2023 World Guide Awards...
After receiving thousands of nominations, we've whittled them down to just 11 impressive finalists. Here's our shortlist for the 2023 World Guide Awards...
The 2023 World Guide Awards are kindly supported by AlUla and Swarovski Optik
Tour guides and leaders are an integral part of our travels, especially for those seeking to get to the heart of a destination. They help us gain a deeper connection with cultures, local communities and nature, and navigate us safely to wherever we want to go, whether that’s to the top of a mountain, or through a bustling city centre. However, guides are rarely recognised or praised within the industry.
In 2006, Wanderlust set about to change this and launched the World Guide Awards. It returns this year for the first time since 2019, and after thousands of impressive nominations, we have managed to whittle them down to just 11 finalists. This year's awards ceremony will be held virtually on 29 June at 6.30pm, where each guide will have their moment in the limelight before a range of awards are handed out, including the highest accolade of the night, the Gold Award. Wanderlust readers are invited to join and show their support to the world's unsung heroes of travel. You can register for the virtual event here.
Where he guides: Gambia
Book through: The Gambia Experience
With over 20 years experience, Malick Suso is a birdwatching expert in the Gambia, and has been described by Chris Packham as the 'very best' at his craft.
Where she guides: Costa Rica
Book through: Exodus Travels
Glenda is a favourite among travellers in Costa Rica, teaching them about the country's rich biodiversity while also embracing the locals' “Pura Vida” lifestyle.
Where he guides: India
Book through: Tiger’s Den Resort, Bandhavgarh
Jagat was born and raised in Bandhavgarh National Park. Specialising in safaris, he understands the importance of how tourism can increase awareness of conservation.
Where she guides: Uzbekistan
Book through: Wild Frontiers
Born and raised in eastern Uzbekistan, Nilufar Kuchkarova started her career as a guide in 2009, and has been showing tourists around her home country ever since.
Where he guides: Sierra Leone
Book through: Tourism is Life
Peter Momoh Bassie is a well-respected tour guide, known for making Sierra Leone's complex culture and off-the-beaten-track gems accessible for everyone.
Where he guides: Worldwide
Book through: Andante Travels
John Shepherd is a guide lecturer with more than two decades experience and expertise in archaeology. His favourite place in the world is Pompeii.
Where she guides: Morocco
Book through: Epic Morocco and FTLO Travel
Sara is a highly-praised tour leader in Morocco, enhancing the country's cultural and natural experiences for travellers, and representing a minority of female guides.
Where he guides: Nepal
Book through: Intrepid
Phurba Sherpa is a high-altitude trekking leader in the Himalayas. He started his career more than a decade ago as a 17-year-old porter, inspired by his elders who he'd grown up watching guide tourists into the mountains.
Where he guides: Saudi Arabia
When Saudi Arabia opened to tourism in 2019, Ali saw the demand for his services grow exponentially. He's experienced in desert orientation, archaeology, wildlife, local tribes and more.
Where he guides: Morocco
Book through: Intrepid and others
Dedicated tour leader Hamid resides in Marrakech. He has 13 years of experience as a guide in Morocco, with countless mountain treks and immersive city tours under his belt.
Where she guides: Saudi Arabia
Leila Yarub Hafiz is a full-time tour guide in Saudi Arabia and the only certified guide to speak Italian. She shares her knowledge on the Kingdom's beauty and traditions with her (mostly) Italian guests.
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