Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, revealed the winners in its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destination Awards.
- The Awards honor travelers’ favorite destinations worldwide based on the quality and quantity of ratings and reviews.
- Mauritius featured as the only African country on the Top 10 Trending Destinations in the World.
- Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best Of The Best spans a 12-month period between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022.
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In order to provide the finest advice for everyone wishing to create unforgettable moments on their upcoming vacation or holiday, Tripadvisor analyzes the millions of reviews posted on its site over the previous 12 months by a global community of hundreds of millions of travelers each year.
Tripadvisor’s rankings are based on insights from millions of actual visitors who visited these locations in the past year and gave their opinion on Tripadvisor.
We saw a resurgence of travel demand in 2022, and the outlook for this year is brigh. Long-haul trips have made a comeback, and we’re seeing a lot of Americans excited to plan trips to Asia and the Pacific region for the first time in several years. Cities like Paris and London, which may have taken a backseat to less populous destinations throughout the pandemic, are back on travelers’ minds, while places like Alaska and Cuba are also piquing a lot of interest.
// Tripadvisor Head of Editorial, Sarah Firshein
This year, the Travelers’ Choice Destinations span six subcategories:
- Popular Destinations
- Trending Destinations
- Food Destinations
- Best Places to Ski
- Nature Destinations
- Best Places for Culture
Above all, travelers are seeking out new adventures this year, and our Travelers’ Choice 2023 Destinations list reflects the very best places chosen by our devoted community. The diverse range of choices offer opportunities for cultural immersion, incredible culinary experiences, awe-inspiring natural wonders, and more—it’s really the ultimate reference guide for travelers dreaming about where to go next.
// Tripadvisor Head of Editorial, Sarah Firshein
Top 10 Trending Destinations in the World:
- Cuba
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Mauritius
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Grand Cayman, Caribbean
- Fes, Morocco
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Krakow, Poland
Dubai keeps the top spot on Tripadvisor’s enduring Popular Destinations list, which highlights travelers’ all-time favorite locations from the previous year, for a second consecutive year. The “City of Gold” offers top-notch shopping and cultural experiences that satisfy the desires and demands of visitors from all over as a global center for opulent hospitality and cutting-edge construction. New York City is back at the top in the United States after the pandemic caused it to fall to No. 5 last year.
Cuba is the No. 1 Trending Destination in the world for 2023; this category revealed destinations with the greatest year-over-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor, indicating new hotspots on the rise. Since the U.S. eased some travel restrictions in May, and with the addition of new direct flight routes, appetite among travelers for Cuba has been surging on Tripadvisor. Known for old-world architecture and rich history, the island offers fascinating opportunities for cultural exchange.
This is followed by Hoi An, Vietnam, at No. 2 and Mauritius at No. 3. Asia is the top trending region in this category, taking half of the top 10 spots. Juneau, Alaska, made its debut as the No. 1 Trending Destination in the United States for 2023. Located at the base of Mount Juneau, this is the perfect place for a journey into the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness.
In addition to popularity, Tripadvisor also awarded destinations based on top travel interests: food, skiing, nature, and culture. As many plan trips around opportunities to enjoy cuisine, Tripadvisor have issued the best Food Destinations list, highlighting locales known for their cuisine as well as those known for their burgeoning dining scenes. Unsurprisingly, Rome is the No. 1 Food Destination for 2023, while New Orleans tops the U.S. list.
A particularly timely category, with droves of travelers currently in search of epic ski trips, Tripadvisor unveiled the Best Places to Ski, according to those who hit the slopes in 2022. With its stunning landscape and down-to-earth mountain culture, Whistler, Canada, is the No. 1 Ski Destination in the world this year. Meanwhile, Jackson, Wyoming, is the best in the U.S. (No. 2 in North America) for the second consecutive year. From regular, cross-country, snowcat, and even heli-skiing, Jackson has it all.
New for 2023: the best Nature Destinations. It’s no secret that destinations abundant in fresh air and pristine nature rose in popularity throughout the pandemic, and although big cities are back, the appetite for outdoor adventure remains strong. In this inaugural category, Mauritius is the No. 1 Nature Destination. The tropical island paradise off the coast of southeast Africa, Mauritius is home to waterfalls, wildlife areas, and national parks, making it a nature lover’s perfect getaway. Notably, at No. 20, South Africa’s Kruger National Park claims its space as the largest game reserve in the country and a global tourist destination.
Another new category this year is the Best Places for Culture, celebrating the top places people visit to engage with local history and cultural activities. While every city has its own unique culture, this list revealed travelers’ absolute favorite getaways for a cultural trip, headlined by Fes, Morocco, at No. 1. This walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site harkening back to medieval times with the ancient maze-like quarters of the Medina to Fes el-Bali and the four imposing Gates of Fes, with their distinctive Moroccan tile work.
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