Worldwide travel insurance policies covering Syria and South America look set to soar this summer thanks to a newspaper report predicting 2009 backpacker hotspots.
The Guardian asked three travel experts for their views on burgeoning backpacker destinations, with Syria ranking highly on the list.
Dan Linstead, editor of Wanderlust magazine, insisted the country was "perfect" for intrepid travel on a shoestring.
He told the newspaper: "There are friendly people, historic sites - from Krak des Chevaliers to Palmyra - a tantalising desert interior and two wildly atmospheric cities (Damascus and Aleppo) in which to haggle for carpets and smoke hubble-bubbles."
However, Anna Walkinshaw at STA Travel maintained the South American countries of Colombia and Bolivia are "must see destinations this summer".
She tipped Rurrenabaque as a particular hot spot as it provides a base for jungle tours in the Amazon basin.
Central America meanwhile, is looking decidedly less popular in 2009 following the Foreign and Commonwealth's decision this week (April 28th) to advise against all but essential travel to Mexico in the wake of the swine flu outbreak.
Going, going, gone. Downunder for
cheap travel insurance.