From the LA Times: Detroit and San Juan, Puerto Rico also made the cut.

Lonely Planet has ranked Chile as the number one country to visit next year in its much anticipated Best in Travel 2018 list.

The travel guide company, which produces content in more than 14 languages and has over 13 million followers on social media, published the 13th edition of its annual list of the top 10 countries every traveler should have on their bucket list for 2018 yesterday.

Chile was the only South American country to earn a spot on the list and ranked first in the Countries categories which also included Portugal, New Zealand, China and South Africa. Lonely Planet also produced a video on Chile explaining why it was selected as their best country to visit in 2018 presented by Lonely Planet writer, Mark Johanson. The Top 10 Countries category was one of four categories in the list which also included top 10 regions, top 10 cities and top 10 best value destinations.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list is selected by the guide’s most experienced travellers and takes into consideration hundreds of recommended destinations worldwide. Its selection criteria includes current events, innovative travel offers and the diversity of a destination’s tourism offering which are all factors in deciding the final top 10.

“This distinction is big news for Chile and reaffirms the government’s successful campaign to market the country as must-see international tourism destination. And the statistics confirm this as well, with a record-breaking influx of 5.5 million foreign tourists in 2016,” said Undersecretary of Tourism, Javiera Montes.

Sernatur Director Marcela Cabezas also asserted that, “recognition by Lonely Planet is an award that all Chileans can feel proud of as it highlights both the natural beauty of our country and the outstanding hospitality of its people. This acknowledgement comes on the heels of our recent distinction as South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2017 in the World Tourism Awards.”