Belfast and the Causeway Coast have been named the top location in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

The nomination comes from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018.

The Northern Irish tourist attractions  have been placed ahead of Alaska, the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France and the Aeolian islands in Italy.

Belfast is described as “full of hip neighbourhoods that burst with bars, restaurants and venues to suit all tastes. The rusting old docklands are now the vibrant Titanic Quarter, home to fancy apartments and a sensational museum”.

Duly recognised, the Causeway Coast’s “timeless beauty and high-grade distractions – golf, whiskey and some of the world’s most famous rocks – are more popular now than ever”.

Tourism Ireland plans to start a campaign to maximise this accolade for Northern Ireland over the coming weeks and months.

Its promotional campaign will roll out in 14 different markets – including Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Nordic region, Australia, New Zealand, India and the GCC.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said:

“The inclusion of Belfast and the Causeway Coast as the Number One Region in the world in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018 is wonderful news and will surely help to inspire travellers everywhere to put Northern Ireland on their holiday wish-list for next year.

“It is another well-deserved accolade, which provides Tourism Ireland with a great hook to continue to promote Belfast and the Causeway Coast around the world as a ‘must visit’ destination.”