Singapore No. 1 travel destination for 2015: Lonely Planet

OUT of all the countries one could visit next year, Lonely Planet says Singapore is its top pick.

The travel company said on Tuesday: "As one of the world's most multicultural cities, Singapore is always celebrating something. But Asia's smallest state has an extra special reason to put on her party hat in 2015, for it's her Golden Jubilee."

Lynette Pang, the assistant chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), who welcomed the ranking, said: "We are humbled by this tremendous result and honoured by the recognition of Singapore's efforts - not just in tourism, but also in heritage conservation, greenery, dining, the arts and many other areas. This accolade bears testament to the wide variety of high-quality experiences that Singapore offers, and will serve as motivation for us to continue delivering innovative tourism concepts that can further elevate the Singapore experience."

Recommendations for Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2015, published on Tuesday, were drawn from hundreds of ideas submitted by Lonely Planet's staff, authors and the extended family of travellers, bloggers and tweeters. Their suggestions were refined by a panel of in-house travel experts, based on topicality, excitement and value. Lonely Planet said it focused on the merits of each destination and the unique experiences offered to travellers.

The top 10 countries for 2015 are:

1. Singapore

2. Namibia

3. Lithuania

4. Nicaragua

5. Ireland

6. Republic of Congo

7. Serbia

8. The Philippines

9. St Lucia

10. Morocco