A list of the top 20 travel destinations in the world for 2009 published by the prestigious travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller has evoked a wide response in Europe. Lithuania ranks 18th in the list. Lithuanian Minister of Economy Dainius Kreivys told a meeting of directors of Lithuanian TICs in foreign countries: "It is more important than ever to attract foreign tourists to Lithuania this year. The future of the tourism industry in Lithuania depends on them. We must use active and even aggressive marketing, join forces and fight for every single tourist; this can help our hotels, countryside tourism retreats, restaurants, museums, guides and Lithuania’s entire tourism infrastructure. Let's force foreign tourists to grow fond of Lithuania and include it in lists of destinations for vacations or cultural travel, especially this year, when we are the European Capital of Culture."

Respublika, 2009-02-20