Qatar

Steeped in traditions, Qatar offers a window into the past, inviting visitors from all around the world to learn about ancient practices in the Middle East that have stood the test of time. Travellers can watch falconry demonstrations, see camels race across the desert and admire traditional dhows bobbing on the water.

But with rapid development underway – much of which was a result of the country hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament – Qatar is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing tourism hubs in the Middle East. During the sporting event, the country welcomed 1.4 million fans from all around the world.

Doha is a world-class city in the making, thanks to its spectacular skyline, the fortress-styled Museum of Islamic Art, the state-of-the-art National Museum, modern shopping malls, a fine and expansive traditional souk as well as burgeoning arts and culinary scenes.

The Museum of Islamic Art houses one of the largest collections of Islamic art on the planet. Exhibits inside include rare manuscripts, textiles and cultural artefacts, while the museum’s atrium offers a breathtaking panorama of the city’s skyline. At the National Museum of Qatar, visitors begin their journey

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau / AS5110

From its idyllic Indian Ocean coastline to the verdant jungles, hilly highlands and tea plantations of its inland, Sri Lanka is a natural wonder in spite of its modest size. The country’s size helps travellers traverse its diverse terrain more easily. However, whether watching whales off palm-fringed beaches, seeing elephants walking on the plains or hiking through the hilly countryside, there is much to do in this Asian wonder.

With more than 2,000 years of recorded history, there are plenty of monuments and places of interest, such as colonial forts – including the much-loved Galle Fort – dotted around the country. Due to its geographical position, it still bears the memory of passing settlers, including the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and British.

A more relaxed rival to neighbouring destinations, Sri Lanka is safe, clean with the oldest artefact found in the country – a 400-million-year-old fossilised fish – and continue through 11 galleries, each depicting a different era of Qatari history, from the Bedouin culture and its pearl diving past to the discovery of natural gas and oil.

Heading north from Doha towards the coastal town of Al Zubarah, the UNESCO-listed archaeological site, Al Zubarah Fort, offers insight into the nation’s past. This 20th-century structure is a perfectly preserved example of a typical Arab fort, which in the past helped the inhabitants ward off invaders and also keep cool during the hot summers. and as vibrant as any other tropical island destination to be found nearby.

For a spot of shopping, Souq Waqif stands out in Doha’s modern retail landscape as it provides a glimpse into the local culture through a range of traditional products that include pearls, gold, textiles, incense, spices, traditional jewellery, handicrafts, souvenirs and more.

According to Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority, as of December 31, 2022, a total of 719,978 international tourists had visited Sri Lanka during the year, with Russia and India among the largest source markets. This marks a significant increase from the pandemic hit in 2021, which saw under 195,000 arrivals.

The tourism authority added that in December 2022, 91,691 arrivals were recorded, behind the year’s highest amount of arrivals – 96,000 in February and 106,000 in March.

Montenegro National Tourism Organisation / EU1625

Once shadowed by the more popularly known European tourist hotspots, Montenegro has gradually worked its way into the limelight. This tiny Balkan paradise covers only 300 kilometres of the continent, yet its marvels are mighty.

Dramatic mountainside scenery outlines the country’s northern belt, while the southern coast stuns with dazzling beaches. And with locals who love to feed, it all comes together as a truly memorable escape.

Backpackers will be delighted with the numerous hiking opportunities available in the country’s Durmitor National Park; while beachgoers can soak up the Adriatic sun on some of the country’s best beaches.

Brooding mountains running along the Bay of Kotor give this town an almost

Tourism Authority of Thailand / AS6510 one of its many serene islands, it is a destination to keep coming back to. laidback feel, yet Kotor is anything but that. The bustling city streets by day and buzzing mood by night seem juxtaposed against the city’s medieval architecture.

Shopping at the country’s many street markets or floating markets is the perfect way to soak up the authentic Thai flavours and not least, its gastronomy. In addition to the royal palaces, the country is awash with gilded Buddhist temples, which show how rooted Thailand remains in its beliefs.

The country’s nightlife offers an array of things to do, from clubs and lounges to the famed Thai boxing, which, for fans or novices alike, offers an insight into the ancient Thai tradition. Water sports and adventure activities are easy to come by, wherever in the destination, with scuba diving sites found in plenty, in addition to pursuits such as trekking, camping, zip lining and more.

The capital city of Podgorica is home to one of the country’s most stunning sights – the Niagara Falls. While the attraction might not resemble its namesake, it is beautiful in its own right.

The northern town of Zabljak is dotted with glacial lakes, dizzying canyons and limestone peaks piercing the clouds at 2,000 metres. Its biggest highlight is Durmitor National Park, which sprawls out over the entire town and runs along the boundary of the Durmitor mountain range, where expert hikers flock in search of adventurous pursuits.

Famous for its temples, mystical eastern culture, world-class gastronomy and hospitality, there is something for every traveller in this giant of a destination. Whether exploring the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, where cuttingedge architecture sits seamlessly alongside a country rooted in centuries of cultural heritage, or escaping to

Thailand received 11.15 million foreign visitors in 2022, a surge from just about 428,000 the previous year when pandemic-related travel curbs were in place. In December 2022 alone, there were 2.24 million foreign tourists, compared with 230,497 in the same month a year earlier. However, pre-pandemic levels of 2019 saw a record of nearly 40 million foreign tourists for the entire year.

Home to some of the world’s most ancient and fascinating sites, Egypt has always been a popular destination due to its history, culture, natural beauty and architectural wonders. It is a place etched in most people’s hearts from childhood, with images of Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx some of the first things to learn in the history of the world.

At the crossroads of north-eastern Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is a melting pot of religions and empires, with remnants of ancient cultures still very much alive today. Remote desert monasteries, medieval Islamic architecture and Roman trading outposts still bear testimony to life as it once was in the unforgiving desert.

Cairo is home to the Egyptian Museum – a treasure trove of antiquities. The city’s medieval quarters, with its narrow, winding alleyways and vibrant souks, have also made it a stand-alone destination. Cairo will also soon be home to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will become the largest archaeological museum complex in the world and host more than 100,000 artefacts. But there is so much more beyond the capital.

Visitors can hop on and off a Nile cruise and visit the likes of waterside

Despite its many draws, Kazakhstan has not fully emerged from the shadows of other popular destinations in this part of the world. But things are quickly changing for this Central Asian country, which stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east.

It’s an expansive nation –the ninth largest in the world – and for many tourists, knowing where to begin can often be the challenge. Among Kazakhstan’s endless grasslands on the windswept northern steppes, the forward-looking, modern city of Astana is a great place to begin. With a skyline punctuated by gleaming skyscrapers, the capital is an eye-catching showcase of international, 21st-century architecture and a glimpse into a city of the future. Its profile got an international lift when the city hosted Expo 2017. temples, cross Lake Nasser to witness the wondrous Ramses II masterpiece at Abu Simbel or travel to the southern city of Luxor in search of the tomb of Tutankhamun, which is also home to some of the world’s most loved pharaonic tombs and temples, including the unforgettable Valley of the Kings.

In bustling Almaty, stunning Soviet-modernist and Tsarist-era architecture offers the ideal backdrop to the city’s dining and nightlife scenes. Yet, spectacular areas of natural beauty are within easy reach and scattered throughout the country.

The country’s Red Sea resorts offer some of the world’s most spectacular beaches and scuba diving. With the backdrop of the Sinai mountains, resorts such as Sharm-El-Sheikh have been a diving haven for years. A stunning escape with all the charm of the East, the coastal destination offers some of the most luxurious hotels in the country.

Egypt truly offers tours for all kinds of travellers, but one thing that will penetrate them all is the fascinating history of this country. Aswan’s Philae temples and the unfinished Obelisk are just some of the wonders waiting to be discovered, while Hurghada’s white sands and crystal clear waters are a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Siwa Oasis is a paradisiacal island full of mineral springs, salt lakes and endless olive and palm groves, while in its main town, Shali, ruins of the Shali Fortress dominate the city centre.