Currently, the region has about 3,000 protected areas. These are the lands where wild plants and animals still exist. These nature reserves are the last haven where animals can freely roam and not be killed. Different species of wild plants that are already endangered will have the chance to blossom again. Having numerous nature reserves like these is a huge responsibility. There are numerous threats from different groups and areas. The people who are in the frontlines of this conservation efforts must also receive some forms of protection. International institutions and large corporations are also contributing in the efforts of African nations to take care of their natural resources. They have seen tourism as one of the most effective means of promoting the protection of the African environment. In the past, the safari adventure was created to encourage people to only observe wild animals in their habitat. The idea is that seeing them alive is better than killing them for pleasure. This passive type of enjoying the wildlife of Africa still stands today.

With the popularity of eco-tourism around the world, tourism agencies and environmental groups in Africa joined hands to take advantage of this brilliant opportunity. This is the perfect timing to obtain sympathies from people around the world and raise funds at the same time. Through this kind of tourism activity, more nature reserves would be added to the thousands that already exist.

Bagan, in Myanmar

Then there is the goal of a vacation and what gives you, as an individual, pleasure during your time off: Urban or rural, getting up at the crack of dawn for sightseeing, or sleeping late, beautiful beaches, shopping, family fun, or nightlife. Any or all of these are appropriate goals for the tourist, and there are places where each can be enjoyed to the max; fewer, though, where you can experience them all.

Then there is niche tourism: Adventure travel, religious and spiritual travel, and hobby travel. You can tour famous golf courses, or famous film locations; partake in food tourism, wine tourism, or wildlife adventures. Each of these has its own top destinations.

Lonely Planet determined the top travel destination countries for 2012. They focus on the less-known destinations and not all of them will appear to a less adventurous tourist. They are:

• Uganda
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Ukraine
• Jordan
• Denmark
• Bhutan
• Cuba
• New Celdonia
• Taiwan
• Switzerland

The list offered by CNN is far more conventional, although both lists have one location in common:

• England
• The Mayan World (Belize, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala)
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Chicago
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• The Netherlands
• Atlantic Canada
• Uruguay
• Orlando, Florida