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These 4 destinations are having a moment right now. According to a new report, the following countries are the top travel hotspots of 2023.
It may seem like travel was back with a vengeance this year, and while it’s true that many popular destinations were flooded with more tourists this year compared to the past few years, most places are still not back up to their pre-pandemic highs of 2019.
However, the following countries have not only reached 2019 tourist levels but drastically exceeded them so far in 2023.
These are the international destinations that everyone is loving right now (and they just might be perfect for your next getaway too!)
According to a new report from ForwardKeys, these are the top four trending international travel destinations right now.
4. Greece
It seems like everyone was obsessed with the “European summer” trend this year, jetting off to sunny Mediterranean destinations like the French Riviera, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and the Greek islands.
Greece in particular has become one of the trendiest destinations of the year, with a record-breaking number of visitors representing a 3% increase from the previous highs of 2019.
Even despite extreme heat waves this summer, tourists continue to flock to Athens. I actually recommend visiting this city during the fall or winter to avoid the heat and crowds.
Similarly, “shoulder season” is a great time for visiting the Greek islands, with fewer crowds and lower prices from late April through early June and mid-September through early October.
3. Mexico
Another one of the hottest international destinations right now is Mexico. Americans continue visiting Mexico in record numbers thanks to its convenience and affordability, and tourist arrivals are up 5% compared to 2019.
Travelers from the East Coast can visit the popular destinations of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum in just a few hours on a nonstop flight. Trendy Tulum is now easier to get to than ever with the launch of nonstop flights to Tulum’s new international airport.
For travelers based on the West Coast, well-loved hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas are just a short flight away.
If you want to get away from the main tourist path in Mexico, there are tons of great underrated alternatives to popular destinations in Mexico.
2. Colombia
Colombia is the hottest destination in South America right now, with a 5% increase in tourism this year compared to previous highs in 2019.
While Colombia was once known as a dangerous country due to decades of violence, it has now become a safe destination for tourists, who are drawn to the country’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant cities.
As a solo female traveler in Colombia, I felt completely safe, and I’d encourage more people to explore this fascinating destination that has so much to offer.
From the colorful colonial city of Cartagena to the beaches of Tayrona National Park to the fun and vibrant city of Medellin to the beauty of Valle de Cocora, there are so many reasons to add Colombia to your travel bucket list.
1. Dominican Republic
Finally, the number one trending destination in the world right now is the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean island country has seen a whopping 14% increase in tourism in 2023 vs. 2019.
One of the biggest reasons the Dominican Republic is so popular right now? It’s one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean, a region that is not exactly known for being budget-friendly.
Not only can you find good deals on flights to the Dominican Republic and cheap all-inclusive resorts in popular beach destinations like Punta Cana and La Romana, but the DR is also home to one of the coolest capital cities in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo, which is filled with history and culture.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com