Guess what I learned today? The United Nations World Tourism Organization spends each year tracking all international visits from travelers. Neat, huh? Then, the group releases a list of the cities whose tourism has spiked the most over the previous twelve months and suggests them as the next big vacation spots of choice.
We took that information and arranged the top ten locations with some gorgeous images. So, if you’re itching to make some 2018 travel plans, start setting up flight trackers for the cities on this list to find cheap airfare to the coolest destinations on Earth before other people realize they are missing out.
10. Israel
Although Israel is a relatively small country, it has seen a 25 percent increase in tourism over the previous year. People are flocking to the round-the-clock beach scene in Tel Aviv, the holy city of Jerusalem, the beautiful Negev Desert, the Dead Sea (the lowest place on Earth), and a northern coastline that includes Haifa, a city likened to San Francisco.
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9. Mongolia
Adventure destinations are very trendy right now, and Mongolia is nothing if not a rugged, open landscape for travelers to explore (Horses! Horses! Horses!). In the last year, there has been a 28 percent increase in Mongolian visits. Visitors can still enjoy rugged mountains and vast steppes, but there are also growing cities to explore in a country rapidly changing.
8 Nicaragua
This is really a country that has a lot to offer to every single type of traveler. There are pristine beaches beloved by surfers, snorkelers, and average beach bums alike; tons of colonial architecture, including exceptionally maintained mansions, a restored cathedral, and a meticulously landscaped plaza; and diverse geography. Wanna dive in underwaters caves? Nicaragua. Surf down an active volcano? Nicaragua! It’s no wonder tourism has grown 28 percent.
7. Uruguay
Uruguay is nestled between larger countries Brazil and Argentina, meaning it doesn’t always get the traveler attention it deserves. But, though it may be the smallest country on the continent, it’s getting some well-deserved visitors: There’s been a 30 percent increase in tourism. Some people will get what they want living it up in culturally sophisticated Montevideo. Others will want to go a bit deeper and go wildlife watching along to coast or slide into hot springs along the Rio Uruguay.
6. Vietnam
Over the past year, the country has seen a 31 percent increase in tourism. These adventurers are opting to visit a country filled with experiences that can’t be replicated anywhere else. The past is inescapable, as indigenous crafts are available everywhere, temples show the influences of both Hindu and Chinese traditions, and the capital bears the marks of French colonialism in its gorgeous state buildings. But, there are also opportunities for daredevils to kitesurf, motorbike, and hike across the varied beautiful landscape.
5. Tunisia
This is a country that has battled with some terrorist attacks that left them on a number of travel advisory lists, something that really cuts down on tourism. But their 33 percent increase in visitors over the last year shows that they are bouncing back ably from these issues. Though it makes up a sliver of North Africa, Tunisia is more than averagely packed with natural beauty and history. The Mediterranean coastline is balmy with a swatch of sea breezes, inviting people to a straight-up sea and sand experience. But, there are also forests and Saharan sand seas in other parts of the country.
4. Iceland
It’s surprising that Iceland has experienced a 35 percent increase in tourism over the previous year as it has been a trendy favorite among travelers for the last seven years. It’s always on lists of can’t-miss destinations. It’s no wonder people love to travel there. Nature is on full display with glittering glaciers, geothermal lagoons, the midnight sun, and the prismatic glory of the aurora borealis. But, it’s not all hiking and soaking. There are also localvore cuisine, live music, and traditional crafts everywhere you go.
3. Northern Mariana Islands
Northeast of Guam lies the tropical archipelago known as the Northern Mariana Islands, renowned for their gorgeous beaches and casinos. In addition to the fact that they are the perfect locale for a wonderful beach vacation, the islands are popular because US citizens can live, work, study, and travel without a visa. There has been a 37 percent increase in travel to the Northern Mariana Islands over the last year. You can bet most of these people took time to snorkel and scuba dive.
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2. Egypt
A decrease in violence led to a 51 percent increase in tourism to Egypt. Yes, there are pyramids and tombs and temples. Visitors are almost obligated to hit the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, but any visit that skips the beach is incomplete. Along the Red Sea is rugged desert gorgeousness with a teeming coral reef just offshore. And, the deserts have their own lure, like the shifting sands of the White Desert and the hot spring of Siwa Oasis. If you decide to join the growing number of travelers, be sure to take a Nile Cruise to take in a lot of the sights from the water.
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1. Palestinian Territories
The Palestinian Territories earned their number one spot on this list as their 58 percent increase in tourism is incredible. Thanks to the near-constant presence of the West Bank and Gaza in the news, this area remains a bit of an unconventional destination. But, while the conflicts in the region make it look a bit scary, it can be a great place to visit depending on current events. Bethlehem will always be a draw for religious reasons, but it also has a growing arts scene and some great food. Tourists spend time exploring the plethora of historical sites in Jericho, take in the commotion of Ramallah and Nablus, and hit up hillside breweries on the West Bank.
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