Last Updated
Now that 2023 is drawing to a close, Airbnb has unveiled the top destinations vacationers are searching the most for 2024, already bound to be a record-breaking year for tourism, or how they have defined it themselves, the ‘year of globetrotting‘.
2024 will be the first official year of global reopening since the health crisis, as up until recently, a handful of countries still imposed travel restrictions, most notably China, which only lifted its anti-tourism curbs in July.
Needless to say, travelers are feeling more empowered than ever to go out there and explore the world, and these are the top trendiest locations for Airbnb users:
Finland
A country in the Nordics, Finland was named by Travel Off Path one of the best winter getaways in Europe this year, owing to its centuries-old sauna culture, abundance of landmarks, and stunning wintery scenery.
According to Airbnb, it has had the fifth highest increase in search volume year-on-year, with more Americans going off path, and seeking more meaningful experiences outside the usual overtouristed countries in Southern Europe.
Two of Finland’s top destinations are the national capital, Helsinki, also dubbed ‘capital of cool’, home to numerous innovative museums and a high concentration of spa and wellness centers, and the wild, unspoiled Lapland, which arches over the Arctic Circle and it’s an aurora sighting hotspot.
Singapore
Fourth on the list, Singapore is distinctive for being not only a futuristic city-state and one of the most densely-populated nations in Southeast Asia but also the best-developed and one of the safest for tourists.
It’s soared in popularity with tourists this year following the city’s return to normality and a renewed interest in America for Asian getaways: it may be more Westernized and far more expensive, but in a way, Singapore is considered a ‘risk-free’ introduction to the subcontinent.
Visitors get to sample the rich cuisine, immerse themselves in the culture, and get a taste of Southeast Asia without subjecting themselves to the chaotic traffic, high rates of food poisoning, and exacerbated poverty seen in Singapore’s neighbors.
Albania
A former hidden gem that has just gone viral on TikTok, Albania is a post-communism country still trying to find its footing in Europe, a continent it belongs to, but remained virtually sealed off from for most of the 20th century.
Though it lags behind in development compared to other Balkan nations, especially Croatia and Greece, it is quickly catching up, with the opening of new tourist accommodations along its unspoiled Adriatic coast, the building of its first coastal airport, and the relaunch of train routes set to facilitate travel.
A stone’s throw away from the ancient ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Butrint, straddling soft white sands and a teal-colored sea, and facing the Greek island of Corfu, the small town of Ksamil, Albania’s best-kept secret, is already one of the fastest-growing vacation sites on Airbnb.
Taiwan
One of Asia’s best-kept secrets, the ethnically Chinese island of Taiwan, has seen a powerful comeback in 2023 upon reopening its borders, and further growth is expected next year, as it ranks second-trendiest on Airbnb’s list.
It is becoming particularly popular among digital nomads due to its relatively low cost of living compared to much of the Northern Hemisphere, expat-friendly communities, great infrastructure, and very high degree of safety, in spite of ongoing geopolitical concerns involving mainland China.
The fact that Taiwan has been trending with long-term travelers and nomads might have contributed to its monumental search increase on Airbnb, as they are, more often than not, active users of the platform and tend to rent accommodation for longer periods.
Japan
2023 has been the comeback year for Asia, and 2024 is expected to cement the continent’s status as one of the world’s top destinations, with Japan leading the way: for a second time, it tops Airbnb’s ranking for the highest spike in searches.
Unsurprisingly, Tokyo and Kyoto are Japan’s most sought-after city breaks, the former being an ultra-modern, rapidly growing metropolis and food mecca, and the latter attracting culture enthusiasts with its well-preserved historical core, imperial architecture, and centuries-old temples.
As it appeals to every category of traveler, from solo adventurers to couples on romantic getaways to long-term visitors, Japan is smashing records left, right, and center: according to Airbnb data, searches for accommodation across the country increased ‘by over three times’ compared to 2023.
Read More:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans Starting At $10 Per Week
How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel
↓ Join Our Community ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com