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At a time when most of us are tired of crowded squares and endless queues, the world’s most visited hotspots (think France, Thailand, Italy or even the US) are struggling to return to their pre-2020 glory.
Instead, new, trendy destinations are emerging as the world’s fastest-growing hubs.
Thanks to their authentic appeal and pristine views, these countries have not only managed to fully recover in terms of visitor numbers, but are even setting new all-time records.
So if you’re planning a trip abroad in 2024, these are the three most popular destinations you won’t want to miss.
3. Greece
The US Travel Association, in collaboration with Euromonitor International, recently released a report detailing the tourism competitiveness score from countries all over the world.
While the analysis yielded many interesting findings that shed much-needed light on the interests and choices of modern travelers, one of the most fascinating pieces of information to emerge from the research was the fact that only three of the world’s largest destinations managed to surpassing 2019 performance by a remarkable margin.
At number 3 comes – you guessed it – Greece.
The dreamy Mediterranean country currently has a 105% recovery rate, which should come as no surprise as reports of its many tourism successes are plentiful.
In the last four months alone, new tourism records have been set twice (1.2), and if current trends are anything to go by, this summer will see a visitor volume that will eclipse both figures. of the water.
Greece is best known for its postcard-worthy beaches, and as someone lucky enough to have experienced their appeal first-hand, I can confirm that they really are as good as they say.
While this next statement may be a bit controversial, I also believe that Greece’s world-class beaches are the best in all of Europe.
There’s no shortage of dreamy, warm-weather hotspots spread across the continent; Italy, Spain and the beautiful French Riviera all have a unique charm.
However, the kind of views and level of variety (not to mention the reasonable prices) you’ll find in Greece are truly unparalleled.
In addition to its coastal wonders, the country is also famous for its rich cultural and historical background, which is probably best experienced in the capital Athens, or my personal favorite, Thessaloniki.
2. Turkey
Turkey has just completed what can only be described as the most successful tourism year in history, with a remarkable recovery rate of 109% from the pre-pandemic record of 2019.
With a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, the country has such a unique natural and cultural identity that there is truly no other place on earth like it.
The sheer number of attractions you can explore in Turkey, each as unique as they are, will leave you a little overwhelmed.
Everything from the sun-drenched coast of Antalya and the vibrant cityscape of Istanbul to the otherworldly atmosphere of Cappadocia (which is honestly unlike anything I’ve seen before) will leave you stunned, enchanted and a little breathless. .
1. The United Arab Emirates
Ever since the Middle East emerged as the fastest growing region in the world, its most coveted hotspots have seen nothing but herds of curious travelers curious to see what all the fuss is about.
Therefore, it was not really surprising to discover that the United Arab Emirates was crowned “the fastest growing destination in the world” in the rankings compiled by the US Travel Association.
Home to traveler favorites such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, the country saw an exceptional recovery rate of 117% over the past year.
While some may tend to write off most of these cities as overcrowded tourist traps, the truth is that there is a lot to see and admire in the region (yes, including the futuristic skylines).
Beyond its architectural wonders, however, the UAE is also where outdoor enthusiasts can explore the rugged beauty of the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Hafeet, while culture seekers can marvel at the historic Al Fahidi district or Al Ain Oasis.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
