Lonely Planet Lists Malaysia Among Top Destinations This Year

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Lonely Planet, a widely read travel guidebook, has picked Malaysia as one of the world's top ten destinations for this year, with many of the hottest tourist attractions within the East Coast.

These tourist magnets included East Coast's wildlife parks encompassing Taman Negara, Lake Kenyir, elephant sanctuaries in Kuala Gandah as well as the Ma' Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Center in Kemaman, Terengganu, said a statement issued by the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Secretariat here today.

Referring to the Lonely Planet's website, it said Malaysia was described as one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in South East Asia.

Malaysia is bouyant and wealthy and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

Aside from the gleaming glass towers of the 21st century, Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.

"The jungle at Taman Negara is so dense that you could pass within meters of an animal and never know it," it said.

"The jungle here is claimed to be the oldest in the world: none of the Ice Ages had any effect here, and Taman Negara has eluded volcanic activity and other geologiacl upheavals," it said.

Malaysia joins six other countries as best choice for a holiday.

The six countries include Armenia, Bhutan, Eritrea in East Africa, Montenegro, Mozambique and Papua New Guinea.

Lonely Planet has published over 650 titles in 118 countries with annual sales of more than six million guidebooks.

-- BERNAMA