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Pakistan tops Condé Nast Traveller's list of best 2020 holiday destinations

It isn't immediately clear why Pakistan beat Kyoto, but we'll take it.

Updated 16 Dec, 2019

The past few years have seen a steady increase in foreign tourists visiting Pakistan and it looks like the trend is set to continue as Pakistan topped Condé Nast Traveller's list of best holiday destinations for 2020.

"The adventure traveller’s must-visit goes from strength to strength," wrote the award-winning luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, and highlighted popular destinations in Pakistan. The list also features other up-and-coming destinations such as Lebanon, Panama, Croatia, Morocco and the British Virgin Islands.

The magazine's list chooses destinations based on "major events and trends around the world" and aims to be "geographically diverse, as well as one that covers a range of trips, from eco-tourism to adventure, to inspire every type of traveller. There are the destinations that have been on our radar for a while, but keep getting better."

Tourist traffic has seen a massive increase of 317% over the past five years, while the number of international tourists visiting Pakistan more than tripled between 2013 and 2016. Over 1.4 million international arrivals are expected by the end of 2019, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, but Pakistan still lags behind neighbours in the region and was ranked the least competitive country in South Asia this year when it comes to travel and tourism by the World Economic Forum.

It also seems Condé Nast Traveller's list has been updated more recently. As of early November, Pakistan's ranking on the list came in at #5, not #1. Some were quick to point it out.

It isn't immediately clear why Pakistan moved up the rankings (or beat Kyoto!), but we'll take it.

Comments

Kazim Dec 14, 2019 02:45pm

Good Going. Awaiting for more tourists in 2020 InShaAllah

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bhaRAT© Dec 14, 2019 03:17pm

Also, Pakistan had been ranked the world’s top travel destination by the British Backpacker Society, which described Pakistan as “one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination”.

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Ga Dec 14, 2019 06:54pm

They keep promoting the North. Sindh and Balochistan have their own beauty.

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Fastrack Dec 14, 2019 07:39pm

Swweeet.

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Laeeq Dec 14, 2019 07:51pm

Great News! Even for the expats who hesitate to travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and extremism.

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Javed Qamer Engineer Washington DC Dec 14, 2019 09:13pm

I will go to Pakistan next year to visit the beautiful northern areas of Pakistan.

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khany Dec 14, 2019 09:56pm

Now it's time to build 5 star holiday resort packages and hotels, theme parks, Zoo, Sea life, etc... in all parts of Pakistan. Attraction and cheap holiday package makes a big difference. Looks like most holiday travelers dont see any holiday packages being advertised in travelodges and commercials in European countries. Pakistan has all the potential to become one of the most travelled holiday destinations if work is put in which will help Pakistan grow.

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BrownFlower Dec 14, 2019 11:16pm

Yay! we're finally lumber 1.

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Zia Dec 15, 2019 12:32am

South Punjab area is completely different from central punjab and has huge potential to become another tourist hub of the country!

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Chris Roberts Dec 15, 2019 04:00am

With improved sanitation, cleanliness and safety, and a well-run hospitality industry, there is no reason why Pakistan shouldn't be a top tourist destination, as it has so much to offer.

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shahid Dec 15, 2019 04:45am

Having lived and worked in London, UK for the past 40 years, (which is a fantastic city ) I had the urge to visit my parents home town of Pakistan, and boy I was blown away by the sheer beauty of Pakistan, the mountains in the north, the historic sites of Lahore, the food and the hospitable people make this a amazing country, cant wait to return so I'm buying my own place there!

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Zulfiqar Dec 15, 2019 06:28am

Jiway jiway Pakistan!

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Yvonne Arthur Dec 15, 2019 08:26am

My experience to Pakistan started with the Consul in Glasgow ,where on my own mistakes i had not read conditions for VISA. I was met by a very rude man who talked to me as if I was a second class citizen. The actual staff in the office were very helpful. My stay was in Lahore for wedding and sight seeing. There were several whites including me in our group. What spoiled my every day was.......at least 4 times a day. Being stopped by army, Security is Paramount I understand this. I was only one with long Blonde hair... every time we were stopped only my Passport was taken away for 15/20 mins. Now I was very recognisable re skin/hair , I recognised same army personel. Very off puting. On leaving the Country inside the Airport a very rude Army female spoke to me so rudely, searched my case left it in absolute mess ,then dismissed me. This is not encouragement to Tourism. The People in Lahore were pleasant. Security very demeaning. It spoiled my visit

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Sandeep Dec 15, 2019 09:32am

Id vist purely for the food. Cheers

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Bhatti Dec 15, 2019 01:42pm

Well Done Pakistan Keep it Up Pakistan Zindabad

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Bhatti Dec 15, 2019 01:43pm

Pakistan Zindabad

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Bhatti Dec 15, 2019 01:45pm

One of the friendliest countries on earth ❤❤ Pakistan

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zak Dec 15, 2019 03:59pm

@Yvonne Arthur , sorry you had some unpleasant experience in Pakistan.. please report youre dislike to the overseas pakistani officevin Islamabad.. things have much improved since the Imran khan become president..

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Parvez Akhtar Dec 15, 2019 11:27pm

Pakistan is a hospitable country where the middle class are educated and curteous. Lahore and Islamabad especially so. The north of Pakistan is replete with scenic beauty. People there are overly welcoming and helpful. Pakistan is an absolutely wonderful country to visit.

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Mehran Khan Dec 16, 2019 01:58am

Wellcome the world to hidden jewels of nature

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ishfaq Ahmed Dec 16, 2019 09:10am

Pakistan is a beautiful country for tourists destinations specialy famous places are in Pakistan you must vist these beautiful places Islamabad,merree,nathia galley,Kagan naran,malam jaba chetral,gilgit,sakrdu,muzafar Abad and lot of other beautiful places in Pakistan

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N A H Dec 22, 2019 11:45am

The major roadblock in tourism really taking off in Pakistan is the mandatory police escorts with every foreign visitor touring Pakistan. None of the tourists like it. Many had to cancel their trips & went back. This police checks & escorts are annoying & serve no real purpose except to sabotage the promotion of tourism efforts. The justification the authorities give for police escorts is to protect the foreign tourists but in reality it increases their risk because they become more visible attracting attention. Tourists just want privacy & freedom to roam around on their own, interact with local people & try various local dishes but with this condition, they can’t do that.(because these ill-informed escorts dictate them what they can do & what not). Besides, there are still many “no go” areas for foreign tourists & they need special permission to visit cities like Multan & Bahawalpur). The govt should abolish this practice immediately if it wants to promote tourism seriously!

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Samin gul Dec 22, 2019 05:02pm

Khyber pakhtunkha is really a paradise.i toured their Northern area which is very special swat ,Kalam,Naran ,kaghan ,Abbotabad,Dir,Dir,kumrat,Malam jabba ,and chitral..

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