Places you wouldn't visit 10 years ago
Five places you wouldn’t visit 10 years ago
While today’s wealth of instant information delivers worrying headlines to our devices with alarming frequency, many leading thinkers, including Oxford University’s Max Roser, believe the world is now safer than it has ever been.
Roser’s Our World in Data project points to falling violent crime rates, fewer regional conflicts, and rising economic prosperity as contributing factors to an overall safer planet.
Because of this, it is now possible to experience destinations that ten years ago were either inaccessible or were not advisable to visit. Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has combed through its vast library of destinations to bring you five of the best.
Colombia
Casa Pombo Sercotel, Cartagena de Indias
Ten years ago, Colombia was struggling with drug cartels, kidnappings, gang violence and guerrilla warfare but over the past decade security has improved dramatically. Today, Colombia’s tourism is booming. An historic peace deal between the revolutionary FARC group and the Colombian government, focusing on reconciliation and unity, is being negotiated this month — a positive indication for wary travellers. The country is buzzing with colour and art, from architecture to street art to a four-day carnival in Barranquilla. Colombia is filled with places to explore, offering tourists an experience that is unavailable anywhere else.
Rwanda
Rwanda’s tragic story is familiar to many, and one that the people of this beautiful country are eager to move past. A cornerstone of Rwanda’s future prosperity is encouraging tourists to return to the nation to sample its many attractions. With a stable government and renewed focus on unity, it’s a country that is rich in cultural experience. As a fully-fledged safari destination, it is a nature-lover’s dream, hosting East Africa’s only canopy walk above Nyungwe forest. This breathtaking vantage point allows tourists the opportunity to track monkeys and gorillas thriving in their natural habitat, without disturbing their fragile ecology.
Myanmar
Sanctum Inle Resort, Nyaung Shwe
Until 2010, Myanmar, also known as Burma, was closed off to the rest of the world under a strict dictatorship. Travelling here is like travelling back in time as much of the country is unspoiled. Outside of the main centres, it is possible to not bump into another foreigner during your time here. Adventurous travellers are able to explore over 800 uncharted islands off its beautiful coast in the Andaman Sea. The country, abundant with history and religion, is peppered with Temples complete with intriguing architecture and gracious monks willing to share their experiences.
Sri Lanka
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Tangalle
2009 marked the end of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war that once prevented many tourists from considering it as a holiday destination. While that was the case ten years ago, today it is a hotspot with a wide range of activities to suit your idea of the perfect tropical getaway. Sri Lanka is known for its slow-paced lifestyle and picturesque scenery, complete with rainforests and national parks brimming with exotic wildlife. Experiencing the full moon and kite festivals is a must for those who are looking for more of an action-packed trip.
Timor-Leste
Originally known as East Timor, Timor-Leste is one of the world’s newest countries, having struggled for its independence for 24 years. In 1999 the UN deployed a peacekeeping mission until order was restored. December 2012 marked the end of the mission and the tourism industry is only just developing. It is an adventurer’s dream with historical landmarks, untouched landscapes and deep-sea diving. Timor-Leste offers you the unique opportunity to explore its many secrets before the rest of the world catches on.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes:
CONTACT DETAILS
For further information, contact the Booking.com New Zealand Press Office;
maxb@thisismango.co.nz, 021 028 94405
About Booking.com:
Booking.com is the world leader in booking hotel and other accommodations online. It guarantees the best prices for any type of property – from small independents to five-star luxury. Guests can access the Booking.com website anytime, anywhere from their desktops, mobile phones and tablet devices, and they don’t pay booking fees – ever. The Booking.com website is available in 42 languages, offers over 1 million accommodations including more than 520,000 vacation rental properties and covers over 96,000 destinations in 223 countries and territories worldwide. It features over 100 million reviews written by guests after their stay, and attracts online visitors from both leisure and business markets around the globe. With over 19 years of experience and a team of over 13000 dedicated employees in 187 offices worldwide, Booking.com operates its own in-house customer service team, which is available 24/7 to assist guests in their native languages and ensure an exceptional customer experience. Established in 1996, Booking.com B.V. owns and operates Booking.com™, and is part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN). Follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, like us on Facebook, or learn more athttp://www.booking.com.