Thailand's the top hotspot

Thailand, once renowned as a haven for hippies and a sanctuary for the spaced out, has become the favourite holiday destination for the world's young professionals.

Italy took second spot in the survey for independent travel guide Lonely Planet - just four votes behind its South-East Asian rival.

The online questionnaire, to mark Lonely Planet's 30th anniversary, received 7,500 responses from people in 134 countries.

British voters chose Australia as their favourite destination, with Italy second and Thailand third.

A spokeswoman for Lonely Planet said: 'When we began, the average independent traveller was a hippy backpacker looking for an alternative lifestyle.

'The survey finds a very different picture now - the typical independent traveller of the 21st century is a professional with a degree or postgraduate qualification, aged from 25 to 34. They travel on a mid-range budget, taking trips of one to three months long which combine adventure, activity, relaxation and culture.'