North wins 'must-see' travel accolade

The guide said the North is “abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits”.

In another section of the book Belfast was listed as one of the top 10 “Cities on the Rise”.

Lonely Planet co-founder Maureen Wheeler, who grew up in Belfast, was full of praise for her homeland.

“I love the city, its grittiness, its resilience and its beauty, and I love how Belfast people turn every social interaction into an excuse for a party.

“The landscape of Northern Ireland is astonishingly beautiful, the people are warm and genuine , and yet it is still relatively undiscovered, which makes it the perfect destination.”

Another destination with a war-torn history, Beirut, is among the 30 destinations on the Go List with the North. Others include Gabon and Xinjiang in China.

The North has seen an upsurge in tourist visitors in recent years and the new guide listing can only add to the numbers.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, was thrilled with the accolade.

“Northern Ireland has firmly established itself as a must-see destination and its unique selling points are captivating visitors from home and abroad,” he said.

“The endorsement by the highly acclaimed Lonely Planet travel guide is a further boost to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland and we can only look forward with optimism to another successful year in 2007,” he added.

Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s travel information manager, said the Bluelist 2007 was “all about seeing travel in a new light and exploring what makes the destinations you visit so special.

“It’s for people who are passionate about travelling and seeing the world and who want to have unique experiences.”