These 7 destinations are begging for more tourists this summer

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They say beggars can’t be picky people, but when it comes to tourism, every dollar counts when the local economy needs a boost.

By the way, I’ve renamed my Venmo to ‘local_economy’, so feel free to join in.

Don’t worry; we’re not going to Jim Cramer on you with some obnoxious economics lesson.

What we are here to do is… spotlight 7 destinations around the world that we are sure want more tourists – a rarity in the age of overtourism, where headlines are more often filled with frustrated locals railing against the overload of visitors.

Without further ado, here are 7 destinations that are practically begging for more tourists this summer, in no particular order:

Trinidad & Tobago: the work-in-progress paradise of the Caribbean

Think you’ve visited all the precious palm-tree-lined islands of the Caribbean?

Big chance.

Lesser-known Trinidad & Tobago is busy marketing, hoping travelers will look beyond the headlines and rediscover this hideaway on two islands just off the coast of Venezuela’s former no-go zone.

Are there any safety issues? Absolute.

The US has issued multiple travel warnings in recent months, so this is not a destination to book blindly.

But safety is also a fickle topic, especially for places working hard to clean up their image and bring back visitors.

Travelers currently rate Trinidad & Tobago as a work in progress on our safety index, which is only 50/100.

But with fewer crowds, picture-postcard beaches, dazzling waterfalls and vibrant culture, this is one to keep on the back burner.

Riga: Europe’s next big hub?

Most American travelers know they can reach Barcelona, ​​Paris and London in no time, but perhaps Eastern Europe’s trendiest city has lofty goals to earn a seat at the table.

Dubbed the “Paris” of the Baltics, this Art Nouveau beauty is still largely waiting to be discovered by Americans – except me (not to brag).

With the largest market in Europe, that is a selling point in itself. If becoming Eastern Europe’s next big hub is a dream come true, you’ll not only have Riga, but easy access to neighboring countries like Estonia and Lithuania – not to mention the underrated Baltic Sea beach towns nearby.

Travelers currently score Latvia’s safety level at 82/100.

Dallas wants you outside the airport

Dallas is my hometown, but I’ve sworn it off as a travel destination because, honestly, it’s not the most appetizing city – and that’s coming from someone who still believes in it Whataburger can solve most of life’s problems.

Personal opinion aside, Dallas wants to become the new hot spot of Texas.

Although the DFW airport is one of the busiest in the country, Fort Worth has become one of the Lone Star State’s trendiest destinations.

Although, Dallas? Not much more than duty-free shops.

With world-class shopping, endless dining, flashy hotels and charming suburbs, Big D has a Texas-sized goal: to take back the spotlight from neighboring Fort Worth.

Travelers currently rate Dallas’ safety level at 70/100.

Cyprus wants to become Greece’s new rival

Cyprus may be marketed as a European escape, even if geographically it has always been a bit up in the air – located at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, yet undoubtedly on the Mediterranean.

Clearly the “Middle East” is causing travel anxiety right now, which could spark Cyprus’ big dreams of becoming more popular after already breaking tourism records in 2025.

This sun-drenched, polka-dot country wants more tourists to give it a try this summer, not because it lacks beaches, history or resorts, but because regional tensions over Iran have reportedly made some travelers hesitant to book getaways in the eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus hopes travelers will look past the uncertainty and remember what’s really waiting on the ground: golden beaches, ancient ruins, vibrant coastal towns, mountain villages and Mediterranean charm without the same crowds as elsewhere in Europe.

Travelers currently score Cyprus’ safety level at 77/100.

Guernsey: New rules will not tempt travellers

This unknown island, often connected to Great Britain, is not actually part of the country; it is a self-governing Crown dependency.

Guernsey, one of Europe’s last true hidden gems, seems to be failing to attract more tourists for one reason and one reason only: bureaucracy.

Traveling is hard enough when it comes to crossing oceans, so no one likes needing permission to visit, which is a good time to remind all travelers to check travel advisories and entry requirements in advance.

From April 23, 2026, visa-free Americans and other citizens will need an ETA to visit Guernsey if traveling from outside the Common Travel Area, even though the island is not part of Great Britain

That can be a tough ask for a place that craves more visitors to discover its beloved island charm, packed with medieval castles, tranquil beaches, clifftop paths and storybook port towns.

Paraguay: the underrated heart of Latin America

The interior of South America isn’t always a draw – there’s Bolivia, countless Amazon-less names, and the entire country of Paraguay, perhaps the least discovered country to go toe-to-toe with Guyana and Suriname.

Paraguay, which has made a name for itself in the digital nomad community, wants more than keyboard warriors.

Like Trinidad & Tobago, the country’s tourism board is on a world tour to promote their beloved homeland to appeal to more than just its neighbors.

Despite its undiscovered allure and surprisingly beautiful golden riverside beaches in virtually unknown towns like Encarnacion, safety is its one undeniable selling point.

Travelers currently rate Paraguay’s safety level at 84/100, one of the safest in South America.

East Timor: Asia’s next Bali?

Whether Bali has lost its luster or not is for you to decide, but it certainly has domestic recognition.

But as this powerhouse hotspot drifts further from the Eat Pray Love era, a nearby country that no one ever seems to talk about is nipping at its heels as the new ‘Bali before Bali’.

East Timor offers the same dreamy cocktail travelers once sought in Bali – raw, bordering on wild beaches, lush mountains, rich culture and a renewed sense of discovery – only without the thumping beach clubs, throngs of influencers and the similar sameness that now defines so much of Indonesia’s most famous island.

With new flights popping up, it’s becoming increasingly tempting to give one of the world’s least known countries a chance to become your new favorite escape.

Travelers currently score East Timor’s safety level at 75/100.

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Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego, has visited 44 countries and written more than 1,500 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.