It’s true guys. 2017 is three months away from going down in history as the year the tour industry stood up for human rights, the Outgoing Passenger Card was phased out and river cruising became cool for millennials.
Despite your disbelief (and in some cases, kicking and screaming), the year is quickly coming to an end, which means your clients have already started considering their travel plans for…
*Cue dramatic music*
2018!
And they’ve already starting receiving some guidance from the well-trusted editors over at Lonely Planet on where they should considering going in the coming year.
City-wise, we found out yesterday that the travel guide book publisher believes Seville in Spain will be among the best to visit, followed by Detroit in the USA and Canberra in Australia.
Yes, Canberra. Click here to understand why the city often referred to as ‘dull’ by locals was selected.
Now we know which countries Lonely Planet believes will be hot in 2018, and more than likely the ones your clients will start booking very shortly.
Topping the list is South America’s muy caliente (very hot), Chile.
The country was suggested to be at the top of every traveller’s bucket list next year because of its Latin culture, natural attributes and spectacular sites.
The guys over at Chile Tourism are obviously muy contento over the news and suggested visitors take time out to go star gazing at the Atacama Desert, explore wineries in cities like Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and visit the national parks, penguin colonies and more.

Image: Loïc Mermilliod/Shutterstock
Following Chile on the Lonely Planet list is South Korea and Portugal as well as Africa’s Djibouti.
Australia’s Tasman neighbour, New Zealand landed fourth place in the top countries for 2018, ahead of Malta, Georgia, Mauritius, China and South Africa.
READ: Contiki travels to 2 new Latin American countries – Bolivia & Chile
READ: Wait, what?! Canberra is one of the world’s ‘top cities to visit’