Top Emerging Travel Destinations in 2023

Americans are Discovering These Destinations Like Never Before
There are some places that are just hot right now – whether it be from the influence of social media influencers or the hard work of their destination management organizations, destinations such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Portugal are being pencilled into millions of Americans’ bucket lists this year.

Curious to see our list? Click through this slideshow to learn more.

Ecuador
While travelers have been enjoying the bio-diverse Galapagos Islands for decades as a bucket-list destination, the Ecuadorian mainland may be getting more attention than it has in the past this year, and that’s due to a few reasons. Peru, its southern neighbor, is currently going through political instability, and its risk level is at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. This might make some travelers who’d like to explore the Andes visit Ecuador instead.

Ecuador’s mainland is also home to part of the Amazon rainforest, making it a great choice for nature and wildlife lovers. Its capital city of Quito sits along the equator and is home to a rich gastronomy and a history that spans cultures and centuries – its Old Town is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site and is considered one of South America’s largest preserved area.

Panama
Panama may be most famous as the country of the Panama Canal, which connects that Pacific and the Caribbean seas, but it’s become a much more popular destination for other reasons, including its gastronomy, which has been influenced by Indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, African and American cuisines. More expedition cruise liners are also offering trips to this country for the first time, offering opportunities to not only visit the Panama Canal, considered a feat of modern engineering, but also spend time among Indigenous communities as part of the country’s responsible tourism strategy.

Dominica
Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic, but that is quickly changing as it grows in popularity. It’s visitor number also tell a striking tale of its popularity: in 2021, it welcomed just over 14,000 visitors; in 2022, it welcomed just under 61,000! The verdant island offers a lush, tropical escape for travelers of all budgets who’d like to enjoy a less touristy destination, and is the only Caribbean island with a surviving Indigenous population.

South Korea
South Korea has burst onto the international travel scene following the pandemic, and for a few major reasons: K-pop, K-beauty and K-dramas! Especially popular among younger travelers, the small country boasts an incredible gastronomy, ancient history, modern innovations and plenty of arts and culture to explore as well as one of the best safety ratings in Asia. It’s also more affordable than some other destinations, including Japan, making it attractive to budget travelers or solo travelers. The country is also easily accessible and has a great public transit system that both residents and travelers can employ. Tour operators like InsideAsia Tours have noticed this new trendy country and are offering new South Korea-specific tours.

Curaçao
The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao broke its record for annual visitor totals in 2022, welcoming over 489,000 travelers to the island. The record it broke was made in 2015, showcasing the island’s increasing popularity. From its colorful Dutch capital of Willemstad to its selection of new all-inclusive resorts, like the Sandals Royal Curaçao and Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa, travelers love to experience this island that offers so much to do and explore.

Portugal
Portugal might have been a popular warm-weather destination for those located in the United Kingdom and northern Europe for decades, but it’s just begun making its way onto Americans’ bucket lists in the past few years. With stunning beaches along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, easy access to day-tripping in Spain and a language, culture, history and gastronomy all its own, it’s no wonder Portugal is now receiving the attention from Americans that it deserves. In fact, it had welcomed more American travelers in 2022 than it did in 2019 before the year was out! Travelers can also visit this country while on a cruise – itineraries usually begin in Southampton, England and make their way around the Iberian Peninsula before heading to the Mediterranean.

Croatia
Croatia is a popular summer vacation hotspot for Europeans, but it’s been increasing in popularity among Americans for the last few years. Attracted by the filming locations from Game of Thrones and its stunning Adriatic coastline, more travelers have been visiting on land and from the sea on Mediterranean cruises. Croatia recently adopted the Euro form of currency and is now part of the Schengen Area, making it much easier for Europeans from other Schengen-Area countries to visit, but also helping Americans simplify their currency exchange, especially for those traveling to more than one country during a single trip.

Tahiti
The Islands of Tahiti, a collection of 118 islands that include the island with the same name, is becoming a popular destination for those looking to discover a thriving culture amid some of the world’s most stunning tropical island systems. This destination has recently seen a near-recovery to pre-pandemic levels and took the time during the pandemic to create a new slow-growth tourism plan that includes sustainability and responsible travel as the first priority.

It’s looking to encourage travelers to visit less-visited islands, such as the seven Austral Lands, to allow for greater spread of tourism’s benefits to its people while eliminating things like overtourism. Travelers wanting to experience tropical wildlife, scuba or snorkel among vibrant coral reefs, or experience the rich island history and culture are going to find a true paradise.

Hungary
Hungary is a fascinating country with a remarkable history that spans centuries, from Roman times to European Imperialism, World War II and beyond, though travelers haven’t been giving it the attention it truly deserves, preferring to visit more popular neighboring countries – until now. Its capital, Budapest, is its rising star, a glimmering imperial city boasting brilliant architecture and a unique culture. That’s one of the reasons why it’s become a popular river cruise port for all popular river cruise lines in Europe. Its location makes it a great starting or end point along any Danube itinerary.

Georgia
Georgia, located in the region of the world called Eurasia, the land between Europe and Asia, is a truly enigmatic place: it boasts a friendly people, an ancient history that connects cultures and religions, a rich gastronomy and one of the oldest wine-making traditions in the world – seriously! To top it all off, its gorgeous natural landscapes and less expensive travel offerings make it a great place for travelers who’d like to visit a place that’s off the beaten path but sure to dazzle all who visit. Tbilisi, its capital, is a definite must-visit. Contiki, the tour operator for young travelers, released its very first tour to Georgia last fall – it’s just one indication of the country’s growing popularity.

Saudi Arabia
How can we showcase the world’s top emerging destinations without adding Saudi Arabia? The destination only opened to international travelers in 2019, making it truly the only “new” destination on this list, though it’s certainly one of the most popular. The destination saw a marked rise in popularity even during the pandemic, while today it markets itself as a place where modernity and ancient tradition live in harmony. Its tourism development projects, like the Red Sea Development and the Diriyah Gate Authority Development Project are set to create long-lasting popularity and sustainability in its growing travel industry for decades to come.

Rwanda
Rwanda is a place that has seen healing in recent decades, among its people and among its natural wonders. Here, travelers can see one of the most effective conservation strategies that have saved and preserved gorillas by educating and incentivizing the people to take an active role in their preservation. It’s such a renowned success that its capital of Kigali will be the host of the next World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit, to take place in 2023. Today, travelers are becoming more interested in visiting the country for its rich biodiversity and the opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat at one of the country’s national parks.

Tanzania
Tanzania is rich in natural wonders, from Mount Kilimanjaro to Serengeti National Park to its coastline, where travelers can swim with whale sharks among lush coral reefs. It’s why this country is now just beginning to get the attention it deserves in 2023, with more tour operators and cruise lines offering expeditions to the country, like luxury operator Abercrombie & Kent and National Geographic Expeditions. Other cruise lines, especially expedition lines, are also beginning to offer expeditions to this destination. The country is perfect for travelers looking to explore the natural world, with the opportunity to Africa’s Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. It’s expected to take some of the focus away from South Africa among travelers seeking to enjoy similar opportunities but with less tourists.

New Zealand
New Zealand gained a sterling reputation for its unified response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and since its reopening last year has once again welcomed travelers from across the world to its beautiful shores. The island nation offers incredibly diverse environments, from glaciers to volcanoes to beautiful beaches, making it a great destination for wellness and adventure travelers. It’s also getting more connectivity, with Delta offering the first daily nonstop flights to the country beginning this October, between Auckland and Los Angeles.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong recently reopened following the end of China’s extremely restrictive zero-COVID policy, and while many Chinese residents are traveling internationally for the first time in years, it’s likely that Hong Kong, which was a popular destination prior to the pandemic, will once again return in popularity by travelers curious to visit following its reopening. The destination is also encouraging travelers to visit once more, giving away 500,000 free airline tickets with a new global campaign.