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If you’ve been following us lately, the Travel Off Path team didn’t blow up Cancun, New York, or Paris—we lived up to our name.
The downside is that venturing too far into the unknown can lead to some sketchy situations, so we decided to round it up 6 safe travelers are coming in record numbers.
Ranging from up-and-coming Caribbean islands to Australia’s new hotspot and a white-sand African island that’s much easier to get to than you’d think, travelers around the world have spoken – the household names we’ve all come to love have been put on the back burner.
There may be no further proof than Cabo’s slow summer.
But these six lesser-known, safe destinations around the world are seeing a huge increase in tourism.
Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇰🇳
When you think of Caribbean islands, you probably think of the common trio of Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, in no particular order.
But travelers have discovered another cultural paradise with unique experiences and fewer footprints in the sand.
Saint Kitts & Nevis experiences a record year, hospitable a tick under 42,000 passengers in the first few months of the year – and that’s not counting cruises.
Maybe it’s the history of the UNESCO-protected fortress, maybe it’s a relaxed luxury resorts, maybe it’s such hospitable locals, or maybe it’s even one of the few worthwhile train rides in the Caribbean (St. Kitts Scenic Railway).
All in all, Saint Kitts is never a bad idea and more and more people are getting it.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Practice normal precautions
Safety Index Score: 85/100
2) Busan, South Korea 🇰🇷
The K-Pop frenzy has taken over the world and you could say that the ground zero of the craze is Busan, South Korea.
But it’s not just sub-par music (yes, I said it) that has put Busan on the map; this vibrant city boasts phenomenal beaches, immense culture and a lighter, more relaxed atmosphere than Seoul.
For a country that 7-Eleven somehow made cool to visit, travelers have persuaded themselves to venture beyond the bustling capital to visit its second largest city. full of colorful hilltop villages and temples by the sea.
Busan has already welcomed more than 1 million visitors by 2026 continues his pace for a record year for tourism.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Practice normal precautions
Safety Index Score: 83/100
3) Gold Coast, Australia 🇦🇺
You know Sydney, Melbourne and one too many Crocodile Dundee quotes, but the Gold Coast is giving travelers a new phrase to steal: “now that’s a beach.”
Despite the long distance, and I mean looonnngggg, Australia isn’t very difficult to plan a tour with plenty of connections from major US cities.
But it’s so off-kilter that most travelers tend to plan around Sydney or Melbourne.
Gold Coast has something to say about that and states a all-time record for tourism in April, towards 600,000 passengers.
Gold Coast is located in Queensland one of the easiest places in Australia to enjoy an authentic beach holiday with extra layerswith its long sandy beaches loaded with surfers, high-rise hotels, theme parks and day trips to the rainforest all close together.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Practice normal precautions
Safety Index Score: 82/100
4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾
There’s a reason why digital nomads have fallen in love with Kuala Lumpur, and it’s not just about safety.
Insanely affordable, packed with dazzling attractions and one of Asia’s most diverse cities, Kuala Lumpur feels like Singapore’s cooler, cheaper cousin – only with cheaper street food, rooftop pools that don’t require a trust fund, and neighborhoods where Malay, Chinese, Indian and Islamic influences all collide.
Even without direct flights from the US, this hasn’t stopped this megacity from having its best year ever as it is now more popular than Bangkok, believe it or not.
More than 27.4 million people have already done so flocked to Malaysia this year to see why it has become the most affordable city break in Asia.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Practice normal precautions
Safety Index Score: 80/100
5) Albufeira, Portugal 🇵🇹
Well, this is about to take a turn…
I’ve had the privilege of exploring Portugal’s famous Algarve region, but Albufeira was one of my absolute least favorite beach towns I’ve ever been to.
I’d love to go back to Portugal in a heartbeat, but you’ll never again see me on the receiving end of annoying vendors, overpriced sangria, overcrowded beaches, and impenetrable walkways through the timeless cityscape.
But…I’m not married to my ideas either.
Fellow travelers need to see something that I have not been given record year until now, whether it’s the golden beaches or the bustling old town.
As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather go back to Quarteira instead for luxury resorts at bargain prices, sangria that won’t break the bank, and open coasts where other people’s selfie sticks are the furthest thing from your mind.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Practice normal precautions
Safety Index Score: 90/100
6) Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Do you really want bragging rights this summer?
Visit one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, which is surprisingly easy to get to.
Often referred to as the “Maldives” of Africa, it’s not as remote as you might think, thanks to Cabo Verde Airlines.
We recently announced the first flight to St. Croix from NYC in years, but there’s an even more exciting flight flight launch from a smaller airport on the east coast – Providence, RI to Praia, Cabo Verde.
That’s right – instead of literally following the crowds to Cancun only to be disappointed by sargassum, you can fly in just 7 hours to a completely different continent with white sand beaches, volcanic backdrops and a magnetic Creole culture.
We’re not talking about the sketchy streets of Durban or the far-reaching paradises of Tanzania, Cape Verde is an oasis of island bliss on the Atlantic side with crystal clear waters and colorful coastal towns that are sure to surprise you with how much you’ll love it.
The proof is in the pudding. The lesser-known island nation is seeing a record influx of travelers.
Instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (Praia is listed as Level 2)
Safety Index Score: 85/100
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