Tripadvisor® announced its first Travelers' Choice® Award for 2024: the Best of the Best Destinations. With roughly four in five (81%) Americans planning vacations in 2024, these are the most sought-after destinations for the year, according to Tripadvisor reviewers.

Tripadvisor's Best of the Best Destinations span seven categories for 2024: Top Destinations (formerly Popular Destinations), Trending Destinations, Culture Destinations, Food Destinations, Nature Destinations and two new subcategories this year, Honeymoon Destinations and Sustainable Destinations.

2024 Travel Outlook

Last year saw a resurgence of people taking holidays to all corners of the globe and Tripadvisor research indicates that travel is set to see sustained momentum in 2024. Tripadvisor data reveals that almost half (45%) are planning three or more trips, 46% will take at least one international trip, and the vast majority (93%) of Americans are planning to spend the same, if not more, on travel this year.

Those seeking help with travel planning this year can draw inspiration from the Best of the Best Destination lists, with guidance from the global travel community. Winning destinations are largely determined by an analysis of Tripadvisor reviews and ratings from a recent 12-month period. With a multitude of destinations recognized across seven award subcategories and a geographic spread spanning six continents and 80 countries, there's something for everyone.

Trending for 2024

With emerging travel hotspots for 2024, Asia comes out top, securing the top five places in the world's Trending Destinations - which identifies places that have seen the greatest year-over-year growth in interest – and making up an impressive eight out of the top 10 destinations. Tokyo, Japan is No. 1 for 2024, followed by Seoul, South Korea at No. 2 and Halong Bay, Vietnam at No. 3. Central and South America are the only other regions to make the top 10, with Bogota, Colombia at No. 6 and Alajuela, Costa Rica at No. 8.

In the U.S., a diverse range of destinations are on the rise for Tripadvisor reviewers this year; from the Floridian beach destinations like St. Petersburg and Marathon, to capitals of cool Brooklyn, New York; Provincetown, Massachusetts; and Portland, Oregon and locales like West Yellowstone, Montana and Homer, Alaska to access breathtaking natural wonders, there are places to suit the needs of every traveler.

Travelers' Favorite Spots

With almost three fourths (71%) of Americans planning to return to their favorite places this season, reviewers on Tripadvisor are loud and proud about their most beloved destinations. The reigning champion, Dubai, has been named Top Destination in the World for the third year running, solidifying its position as Tripadvisor reviewers' favorite destination. In the U.S., New York City, which offers something for every traveler, holds onto the No. 1 spot a second year in a row.

New for 2024

With 74% of American travelers concerned about the impact of 'over tourism' on destinations,* environmentally safe travel is increasingly top of mind. Tripadvisor has partnered with Corona, a global AB InBev brand to launch a new Sustainable Destinations subcategory, recognizing winners from around the world deemed to have strong commitments to sustainability. While Europe has the lion's share of environmentally responsible cities in the top 10, with Copenhagen, Denmark in first place, Asia Pacific is also well represented, with Singapore and Melbourne lauded for their efforts.

Sustainable Destinations - World

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Stockholm, Sweden
3. Bordeaux, France
4. Helsinki, Finland
5. Singapore
6. Melbourne, Australia
7. Oslo, Norway
8. Brussels, Belgium
9. Galway, Ireland
10. Belfast, United Kingdom

Also new this year, in the inaugural Honeymoon Destinations subcategory, island retreats are the most romantic getaways, according to Tripadvisor reviewers. Destinations across Indonesia, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Caribbean and Greece all make up the top 10. Bali takes the No. 1 spot, followed by Hoi An, Vietnam at No. 2 and the Maldives at No. 3.

Honeymoon Destinations - World

1. Bali, Indonesia
2. Hoi An, Vietnam
3. Maldives
4. Dominican Republic
5. Mauritius 
6. Khao Lak, Thailand
7. Jamaica
8. Santorini, Greece
9. Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
10. Venice, Italy 

Best of the rest

Nature sightseeing is the second most popular trip type for Americans, according to Tripadvisor's latest Seasonal Travel Index, with roughly a third prioritizing adventure and about a quarter planning to enjoy nature as the purpose of their trips this season. To aid travelers' desires to celebrate the living world this year, Tripadvisor, in partnership with Corona, a global AB InBev brand, provides a diverse array of pristine, top-rated locales in its best Nature Destinations list. From hiking the Himalayas from Kathmandu (No. 1) to taking in sunset over the emerald waters of Halong Bay (No. 2.) and scuba diving in Hurghada (No. 3) to see marine life along Egypt's majestic Red Sea coast, there's something for every type of traveler.

Nature Destinations - World

1. Kathmandu, Nepal
2. Halong Bay, Vietnam
3. Hurghada, Egypt
4. Mauritius
5. Lombok, Indonesia
6. Kauai, Hawaii, U.S. 
7. Zanzibar, Tanzania
8. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
9. Guadalupe
10. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Culture trips remain popular; according to Tripadvisor's most recent Seasonal Travel Index, one quarter (25%) of Americans plan cultural sightseeing trips in the coming months. There are two new entries to the top three Culture Destinations for 2024, with Cusco, Peru at No. 2 and Agra, India at No. 3 but it's Cuba that takes the top spot, climbing five places from last year to be named No. 1.

Culture Destinations - World

1. Cuba
2. Cusco, Peru
3. Agra, India
4. Fes, Morocco
5. Athens, Greece
6. Dublin, Ireland
7. Colombo, Sri Lanka
8. Hue, Vietnam
9. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
10. Tokyo, Japan 

More than half (57%) of Americans are most excited about what they will eat on their upcoming trip, and this year's best Food Destinations list serves up a diverse culinary delight. Europe takes half of the top 10 spots in the world, with Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal all popular, but it's Hanoi, Vietnam, that comes out top for foodies on Tripadvisor, climbing two places this year to claim the No. 1 spot in the world.

With its famed culinary scene, New Orleans has held onto its title for number one Food Destination in the U.S. for a second year in a row – also ranking No. 8 in the world. Overall, Southern destinations rank highly among foodies on Tripadvisor, with six of the top 10 cities in the American South. 

*Source: Phocuswright's Sustainability in Travel, 2023