Press Release Summary = Iraq has been named as the worst travel destination of 2005 by adventure travel site, Polo\'s Bastards, in their annual list of the 10 worst places in the world to travel.
Press Release Body = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Iraq Tops Worst Travel Destinations in 2005
Iraq has topped a list of worst destinations for travelers for 2005.
The list, released by Polo's Bastards adventure travel web site today, is a record of the top 10 most dangerous destinations for world travelers this year.
"Iraq was always going to be difficult to beat," said Lee Ridley, editor of Polo's Bastards - an adventure travel web site. "Even so, there are some pretty dangerous places in the top 10 that area't getting as much press as Iraq, but are still almost as risky."
"Travelers still need to be extremely cautious when visiting Afghanistan and parts of Africa - in fact there were probably well over 20 countries and regions that had a legitimate claim to be on this list, but we could only pick 10."
This year's top 10 included only countries from Asia and Africa, with South America narrowly missing out on having a country on the list.
"Colombia certainly came close to getting into the top 10," said Mr Ridley, "But the competition this year was a little too strong."
The countries included on the list were Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Thailand, Sudan, Chechnya, Indonesia, The Palestinian Territories, Uganda and Niger.
The surprise inclusion on the list was Thailand.
"Thailand basically made it into the list for the tourist body-count after the Tsunami," said My Ridley. "The fact that Tsunami victim's bodies are still being found, combined with the worsening insurgency in the South, it was difficult to leave out, but I doubt it will remain on the list next year unless the insurgency worsens dramatically."
The release of the list comes on the heals of claims in the press that Polo's Bastards promotes irresponsible and dangerous travel - a criticism that the owners of the site deny. "We publish information like this so people can make informed choices about traveling," said Mr. Ridley. "The site is about how to stay safe - not how to get yourself killed."
The list of the ten worst travel destinations can be read at:
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