Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler, who has visited more than 170 countries worldwide, has revealed the four destinations he won’t be returning to for reasons as diverse as war and bad traffic
A travel expert who has visited more than 170 countries across the globe had revealed four destinations he won’t be returning to. Tony Wheeler, the co-founder of popular travel guide Lonely Planet, has spent more than half a century travelling – but says he won’t go back to four particular places.
The adventurer co-founded what would become a guide book empire alongside his wife Maureen in 1973, when the pair published Across Asia on the Cheap. He sold the firm to the BBC in 2007.
In a recent post on his blog Tony Wheeler’s Travels, the writer said war, local transport and political turmoil had put him off going back to the four destinations – Russia, Saudi Arabia, the USA and Indonesian island Bali.
Russia
The world’s largest country by land area has been at war with Ukraine since it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Tony, who says he has visited Russia multiple times, admitted he wouldn’t return “as long as they’re buddying up with North Korea and the USA to attack Ukraine” and “as long as Vladimir Putin continues to kill innocent people”.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia due the risks of its war with Ukraine. Travellers are warned of drone attacks and terrorist incidents in major cities.
Saudi Arabia
The expert said he wouldn’t go to the Middle East country for “many reasons”. The Gulf state, which attracted 30 million tourists last year, has been criticised for its human rights record.
Tony mentioned the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 along with recent reports of Saudis murdering East African domestic workers in his explanation.
He added: “On my own travels to Somaliland in 2022 I encountered cheetahs saved from being shipped to Saudi Arabia to be kept as pets, and then killed when they grew too large.”
Bali
The Indonesian island of Bali has been a popular spot for Brits seeking gap year getaways or luxury getaways. But the influx has left the island playing catch-up, Tony says.
He said: “Bali, there are so many good things about that Indonesian island and I’ve just had a great travel writers reunion trip there, but until they sort out the ridiculous traffic I never want to go back.”
USA
Often a popular destination for western tourists, Tony surprisingly listed the USA among his new no-go areas. Having visited all but three US states, he said he wouldn’t return while Donald Trump is president.
He added: “Right now with the orange one (AKA Liz Trump , or even Donald Trump to some people) and his associated scoundrels running the place I really don’t want to go there anymore.
“Despite having spent nearly 10 years of my life living in the USA (Midwest, East Coast, West Coast) and despite having many American friends, I’m currently happy to leave the USA at the bottom of my dance card.”