Where else in the world but Queensland? A green sea turtle negotiates the world’s largest coral reef. Picture: AAP

US News and World Report’s World’s Best Places to Visit for 2016-17 ranked the Reef No.1 ahead of Paris and Bora Bora in French Polynesia.

Sydney also made the list — at 13th.

Best place on Earth? Great Barrier Reef ranked the No.1 place in the world to visit. Picture: Stuart IrelandSource:News Corp Australia

The site described the Reef as “holding a spot on every travellers’ bucket list”.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a treasure trove of once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” said the description.

“Whether you’re gazing at marine life through a scuba mask, letting the tropical breeze unfurl your sail, or in a plane gliding high above it all, the possibilities for exploration are nearly limitless.”

Second best: Sydney was the only other Australian destination to make the top 25 World’s Best Places to Visit list.Source:Supplied

It comes after a series of sinister reports about the Reef’s future following a major coral bleaching event found to have affected extensive areas.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said the Reef’s first placing on the list, was a vote of confidence in its worldwide tourism appeal.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a living treasure and a major tourism drawcard for visitors to Queensland,” Ms Coddington said.

“It is an unrivalled experience that tens of thousands of people are enjoying every day.”

Standing proud. Paris was rated the second best place in the world to visit, after the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFPSource:AFP

Other destinations to make the top ten included Florence in Italy; Tokyo, Japan; the archealogocial capital of the Americas — Cusco in Peru; London, Rome, New York and Maui.

Cape Town in South Africa and Barcelona in Spain finished ahead of Sydney, the only other Australian location on the list.

“Expert opinions, user votes and current trends” were used to compile this list.

Bliss. Bora Bora in French Polynesia made the top five places in the world to visit for the second year running. Picture: iStockSource:Supplied

Last year London was No.1, Bora Bora No.2 and Barcelona third — while Sydney was placed fifth.

Ms Coddington said this year’s result reaffirmed just how important the Reef was to Australia’s tourism economy.

“It’s ours to protect and share,” she said.

“Experiences like the Great Barrier Reef help inspire visitors to experience Queensland, the best address on earth.”