The #1 Hot Travel Destination of 2008? Says Who?
By Carol Bengle Gilbert (Posted by permission from author)

United States citizens hankering to travel abroad will be disappointed in the Lonely Planet's top pick for hot travel destinations for 2008: home. That's right, the United States of America is the #1 hot travel destination selected by Lonely Planet. The attributes of the United States that make it the #1 hot travel destination for 2008 are its national parks and Hawaii.

There are 391 national parks in the United States, offering travelers diverse selections in a variety of regions. With more than 272 million visitors per year, the U.S. national park system hardly needs attention drawn to it. Many national park names are household words- Yosemite, Yellowstone, Ellis Island, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton- and the most common are associated with the Western United States, yet there are actually national parks in every one of the 50 states.

Hawaii offers white sand beaches, volcanoes and some decidedly unusual tourists lures: the Elvis Aloha statue, a "leper colony" tour that includes a mule ride down a steep cliff (anyone see the irony here?), and a "cursed tourists" display at Kilauea where the volvano goddess Madame Pele is said to curse anyone swiping her lava.

United States travelers craving a popular destination yet unwilling to consider staying in their home country a bona fide vacation don't need to rely on Lonely Planet to determine the #1 hot travel destination of the year, however. Several other organizations create similar lists.

So what are the other #1 hot travel destinations in 2008?

The US Tour Operators Association bestows the honor on Italy, with Croatia and China in pursuit.

Liverpool, England was named a European Capital of Culture for 2008, an honor shared with Stavanger, Norway. Everyone who remembers the Beatles knows something about Liverpool. This former blue collar town has been spruced up in past years in preparation for its assuming the European Capital of Culture title. Stavanger, Norway, the country's 4th largest city, is a delightful conglomeration of cobblestoned streets, picturesque wooden dwellings, sea trade and international culture. Stavenger teases scenery-seeking visitors with moutains, waterfalls, islands, plains and fjords.

The New York Times picked Laos as its #1 hot travel destination for 2008. Still relatively undeveloped, this southeast Asian country is notorious for being the most bombed country in history. But despite its pitfalls, it has allure. The Plain of Jars is an enigmatic archeological site with humongous 2,000 year old jars scattered about the countryside. Limestone caves adorned with Budda carvings, lush jungles, bustling markets and the largest waterfall in southeast Asia are among the other attractions that warrant Laos' designation as the #1 hot travel destination for 2008.

South America gets recognition from Rolf Potts' Vagabonding. Top picks for hot travel destinations for 2008 were not rank ordered but Buenos Aires, Argentina and Quito, Equador both made the 4 destination list.

By now, it should be apparent that there really is no single #1 hot travel destination for 2008. The world is rife with delightful destinations any one of which, depending on a traveler's tastes and temperament, may become his personal #1 hot travel destination for 2008.

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Ian White Moderator Housecarers
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The New York Times recently stated in their Travel Section that Argentina is no longer a hot destination...cat

I have to put in a plug for Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud) New Zealand as I see it isn't mentioned. I am in Australia for the moment but New Zealand never leaves my heart for long. There is something for every one there! It is so beautiful from the plains of Canterbury to the heights of the Southern Alps and the depths of Milford Sounds and Harward's hole. I have mostly seen the South Island but I do plan to do a comprehensive tour of the North Island some time. It is slightly more risky though with the larger population (hence more crime etc).

Australia is great too, although be prepared for some long drives. I am constantly in my wild life book trying to identify a bird or other animal. I love the share number and variety of animals here. Having wild parrots in your garden is such as novelty!

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It's not the destination it's the glory of the ride!

The world is so full of beautiful things, amazing sights and wonderful people that no one place can be singled out.

Does #1 Hot Travel Destination of 2008 mean more tourists or just a clever advertising campaign? and the US dollar is also weak at the moment making the US a more attractive destination.

Cheers
Elwynn