Top Trending Bucket-List destinations
People are Crossing These Destinations Off Their Bucket Lists This Year
Whether it be somewhere in Europe or a tropical Caribbean isle, people are choosing to visit the places they’ve been dreaming about for the past two years. New data, fresh from Skyscanner, showcases the top ten trending destinations travelers are booking this year, and the results might surprise you. The destinations on this list have seen incredible growth in bookings this year in comparison with 2019. Curious to see which destinations people are interested in more than ever before? Click through this slideshow!
Qatar
Qatar is the top trending destination of the year, with an increase in bookings of 522 percent from 2019’s pre-pandemic level! Why is it so popular, you ask? Qatar is becoming a leading destination in the Middle East, with incredible archaeological sites and history, like the Neolithic Al Jassasiya rock carvings, to the futuristic city of Doha, a leading center of art and culture in the region. It’s also an unlikely yet spectacular place for a beach holiday, with opportunities like swimming with gentle whale sharks during a stay at one of Qatar’s incredible luxurious beachside resorts.
Anguilla
Anguilla is a tropical Caribbean paradise that deserves more recognition than it gets, and we’re happy to see that it’s received a 420 percent increase in bookings compared to 2019! With well-rounded experiences for any type of traveler, the British Overseas Territory is a perfect destination for families or adventurers. The Big Spring Heritage Site is where travelers can find ancient records of humanity carved into petroglyphs dating back 1,000 years. East End Pond and Anguilla National Trust offer great places to enjoy the local nature and wildlife, while the island’s rugged coastline and soft beaches make for great places to enjoy honing photography skills, or just lounging on the beach.
Saint Barths
Saint Barthélemy, often nicknamed St. Barths, is a French-speaking Caribbean island known for its high-end luxury leanings and its incredible gastronomy. This French-speaking Caribbean isle boasts incredibly luxurious accommodations and experiences, including yachting opportunities, but one of the best parts about this destination is the food. Known for its luxury dining and experiential offerings, the island offers several Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants to enjoy. It’s not surprising that it’s seen a 345 percent increase in bookings from pre-pandemic levels.
Maldives
The Maldives, a tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean in Southern Asia, is another bucket-list destination known for its long travel time and luxury offerings. The Maldives has seen an increase in bookings of 145 percent from 2019 to 2022, and it’s not hard to see why with so many luxury resorts offering stunning over-the-water bungalows and incredible sustainability programs, like the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, which combines the brand’s luxury amenities with a modern Maldivian design and wellness-centric programming.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is a popular Caribbean archipelago and British Overseas Territory. Known for its turtle conservation program and its cruise port, which welcomes many travelers each cruise season, this Caribbean island has seen an 82 percent increase in bookings from 2019. The biggest islands offer a range of resorts and beautiful natural attractions, including great scuba and snorkeling opportunities off the coast’s barrier reef and a scenic waterfall on Grand Turk Island.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has also seen a marked rise in bookings this year in comparison with 2019, up 75 percent, largely due to the country’s investment in the travel and tourism industry and the interest in its futuristic capital city of Abu Dhabi and its other popular destination, Dubai, which hosted the Expo 2020 Dubai. Home to luxury hotels and resorts, incredible architectural marvels and a strong connection to its local culture, the UAE really is becoming one of the most popular bucket-list destinations of the 21st century, especially among younger generations.
Portugal
Portugal has long been beloved by Europeans as a warm-weather destination, filled with a welcoming culture, interesting history, beautiful beaches and delicious food. But it’s becoming more popular with American travelers, too. The destination has seen a 47 percent increase in bookings from 2019’s levels. Popular destinations include its capital, Lisbon, along with Porto and the Algarve region, the country’s southern coast.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Another beloved destination in the Caribbean is the U.S. Virgin Islands. Easy to access due to great flight connectivity and its terrority status (Americans need not bring their passports to enter the USVI), this island chain has long been a popular spot for Americans to enjoy during the cold fall and winter months. Beautiful beaches, ample resorts and great diving, snorkeling and hiking opportunities abound, which is why this destination is seeing a 42 percent increase in bookings this year.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a destination that’s perfect for adventure lovers, nature lovers and animal lovers alike! Home to volcanoes, hot springs, beautiful beaches, biodiverse jungles, starry night skies and plenty of wildlife to enjoy, ranging from sloths and howler monkeys to a plethora of bug species, Costa Rica is the most popular adventure travel and eco-friendly destination in Central America, and is making a name for itself across the world. It’s seen a 42 percent increase in bookings from 2019.
Antigua and Barbuda
The country of Antigua and Barbuda is another Caribbean island known for its colorful culture, breathtaking scenery and fun activities. Much like the other Caribbean islands and archipelagos on this list, it offers plenty of resorts to choose from, a large yacht scene, a barrier reef for snorkeling and diving, as well as ample historic sites to enjoy. It’s seen a 41 percent increase in bookings from 2019.