Top Trending Travel Destinations for 2022

Trending Destinations for 2022
This year, travel has been about returning to our roots. While our roots may look a bit different (wearing masks on public transportation, using crazy amounts of hand sanitizer, etc….) they still feel somewhat like coming home. For many of us, it was about returning to the practice of traveling when we felt like we were finally ready to step outside after a long time of not traveling at all. With this came new fears and anxieties about travel that we hadn’t had previously, but with practice comes confidence, and now that more international destinations are opening more than ever, next year will be about celebrating our newfound sense of exploration, in practicing our growing confidence in the safety of travel and about returning to the destinations that we’ve so missed for almost two years. Click through this slideshow to see some of the destinations predicted to be trending next year.

Mexico
Mexico has always been an incredible popular destination for people in the Western Hemisphere, and this won’t change next year. From Cancun to Puerto Vallarta to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico offers all the adventure and all-inclusives, beach relaxation and gastronomic adventures a vacation needs. Travelers can easily tailor their vacations to their own desires, from choosing eco-friendly accommodations in the heart of a biosphere reserve to all-inclusive resorts located along the gorgeous waters of the Pacific.

New York City
A domestic destination that has retained its popularity with tourists even after immense lockdowns, New York City thrives as a hub of American culture, enticing travelers with cultural attractions like Broadway, historic ones like the Empire State Building and so much more.

Tahiti
Tahiti reopened to vaccinated travelers in May 2021, as well as to cruise passengers. The lush islands of the Pacific offer stunning, almost untouched beaches and rainforests, offering plenty of both relaxation and adventure activities like hiking and Scuba diving around the islands’ ecologically diverse coral reefs.

Miami
Miami is a multi-cultural gastronomic hub offering plenty of nightlife and attractions for families and friends to enjoy. Whether it be exploring Little Havana or getting a base tan before a cruise, Miami has been trending in 2021, and that trend isn’t set to go away any time soon.

Greece
Greece draws millions of tourists from across the world in a good year (i.e. a non-pandemic year). In 2022, more people are expected to gain the confidence to travel internationally, which means Greece is once again going on the list of the top trending destinations. From ancient temples to white-washed Mediterranean isles, Greece offers plenty of fun in the sun.

Alaska
Alaska is beloved by both American tourists and international tourists. While cruise ships have been able to travel to Alaska for much of the year, travel is expected to ramp up even more next year, when many cruises are once again returning to desirable Canadian ports like Victoria and Vancouver.

Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have been closed to international tourists throughout the pandemic, but the desire to travel to these two countries have not diminished. Instead, people following the pandemic across international borders found new respect in New Zealand’s strict control of the virus, while travelers with Australia on their bucket lists have been eagerly anticipating its reopening. With New Zealand reopened to international vaccinated travelers with strict entry requirements, Australia is expected to follow suit sometime in 2022.

California
California is a popular domestic tourist destination for millions of both national and international travelers. From Disneyland to popular cities like San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, California offers a vacation for any type of traveler. From deserts to beaches to lush forests, travelers can find any type of activity, environment and attraction in the state.

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has been trending for awhile, earning its popularity from social media sites like TikTok and Instagram. As a modern metropolis, it’s introduced itself to the travel industry as a sustainable, futuristic destination offering plenty of entertainment attractions and all the allure of a warm-weather destination.

Las Vegas
As more travelers gain the confidence to travel internationally, they’ll also gain the confidence to travel for other reasons, like for bachelor and bachelorette parties, big conventions or just to party. Las Vegas has been trending this year, and that’s not going to change moving into the new year. As more Vegas residencies begin, more travelers are going to enjoy all that the city built on entertainment has to offer.

South Korea
South Korea has been trending big in social media and entertainment this year, and it’s not surprise that when the new year rolls around, plenty of people are going to flock to the country to experience the place where “Squid Game” was conceived. From blossoming cherry trees and ancient temples to bustling metropolises, will South Korea replace Japan as the most alluring Asian country for American travelers?

Arizona
Arizona is a great destination not only for its desert oasis feel, award-winning golf courses and renewing wellness retreats. It’s also a great destination for skiers, hikers and other active adventurers. From the ever-popular Grand Canyon to lesser-known attractions like northern Arizona’s forests and ski resorts, it won’t be a surprise to many to find Arizona on the top of many domestic travelers’ lists.

Chile
Chile recently reopened with strict entry restrictions, but it’s anticipating a strong return to travel next year. From the driest desert in the world to Patagonia’s ancient glaciers, this country is like heaven on earth for outdoor explorers, who can experience one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world. It’s also a great place for wine lovers, beach-goers and lovers of culture.

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is the last domestic destination on this list, but it’s certainly not the least. With over 500 years of history, this Caribbean gem entices many with its easier entry requirements as a U.S. territory. It offers some of the only bioluminescent bays in the world, where you can dip your toes into the glowing blue-green surf, as well as other outdoor attractions for the explorers. For culture lovers, Old San Juan and the city of Ponce offer incredible insights to the island’s Spanish colonial past while also inviting travelers to partake in delicious cuisine.