2023 marked the first full year of restriction-less travel since the health crisis subsided.
All of sudden, border curbs were lifted, discriminatory measures axed, and normality reinstated – across much of the globe – leading to an unsurprising surge in holiday bookings.
Throughout the year that’s about to wrap up, we’ve seen demand for cultural activities, ‘do-nothing’ beach vacations, ‘workcations’, and wellness retreats all increase across the board, and all of these subcategories are set to continue gaining momentum next year.
It’s not surprising, then, that this set of three iconic sunny countries is about to become even trendier to travel to in 2024:
Greece
According to the latest report issued by ForwardKeys, on the tracking of travel trends for ’24, Greece is one of three countries travelers are most likely to visit over the course of the following year.
This year, Greece exploded in popularity as Europe loosened travel restrictions, and renowned interest in cultural expeditions brought its ancient heritage to the front once more.
The birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization, Greece has a plethora of manmade wonders:
When visiting the Hellenic Republic, tourists are sure to pay to the Athenian Acropolis Hill a visit, as it concentrates a number of structures that have helped shape Greek nationhood, such as the Parthenon, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Outside Athens, still on the Greek mainland, their eyes are set on world-famous spots like Delphi, a ruined city on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, home to the Oracle of Ancient Greece, the suspended Meteora monasteries, the medieval White Tower of Thessaloniki, among others.
Those island-hopping across the Aegean, largely made up of Greek islands, are expected to make landfall in Santorini, drawn to its whitewashed houses and rugged nature, Mykonos, Europe’s party island, or even lesser-known spots like Milos and Paros, where crystal-clear waters await them.
The Dominican Republic
The second-most visited country in the Caribbean region, the Dominican Republic (DR) is another top performer for 2024, boasting year-round warm temperatures, state-of-the-art resorts, and an inestimable cultural wealth.
It is the home of Punta Cana, a major resort destination straddling the Caribbean shoreline, and a seasonal favorite for Americans looking to kick back, enjoy however many hours of winter sun they can get, and enjoy the award-winning service.
Other popular destinations in the DR, which occupies the eastern portion of the historic island of Hispaniola, include La Romana, an up-and-coming beach getaway where soft, golden sands are lined by tall palm trees, and Puerto Plata, a laid-back port city with a picturesque colonial core.
Though it’s been historically overlooked by visitors, who are mostly flocking into the DR for beach and relaxation, the national capital Santo Domingo has experienced an uptick in visitors as of late, due to the popularization of ‘colonial tourism’.
This category of travel commonly involves visiting cities that were established, or re-settled by Europeans, either for the History, or merely for sightseeing, and not only is Santo Domingo filled with Spanish-era landmarks, but it is also the oldest European-built settlement in the Americas.
Old Town Santo Domingo is characterized by its 16th-century walls and castle, colonial mansions, and charming streets lined by colorful civic buildings.
Soon enough, tourists will be able to travel from Punta Cana to the DR’s historic capital by train.
Mexico
Number one on the list, Mexico is currently the world’s trendiest tourist destination, with a whopping 66 million passengers landing or transiting via Mexican airports in 2022 alone.
Further growth is expected in 2023, already a record-breaking year for Mexican tourism, and next year will be no different.
Mexico’s greatest strength is its unequivocally diverse offer.
From resort-packed coastal zones, such as the Mayan Riviera, which lays claim to Cancun, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and many more trendy Caribbean cities, to the breathtaking nature of the Pacific states and every stunning colonial state capital in between, Mexico appeals to everyone.
The Cancun Hotel Zone is easily the country’s leading attraction, with its mega-resorts that line the Caribbean Sea, amazing infrastructure, and world-renowned hospitality, though lesser-known spots like Merida in the wider Yucatan Peninsula and Lake Bacalar have also risen in prominence lately.
This winter, Mexico is launching its very first long-distance tourist train in Yucatan, linking as many as five states that are either fully in, or partly in the peninsula, including Quintana Roo.
This will make it a lot easier for visitors based in Cancun to explore the region and its Mayan heritage.
Other than the airport, Mexico has opened a brand new airport serving Tulum, its second-busiest destination on the Mayan Coast, and this will increase travel demand, and thus air traffic even further.
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