Dubai has been revealed as the best-rated destination in the world in Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations.
The winners were determined based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings specific to each award subcategory from travellers on Tripadvisor for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations worldwide over the 12 months between November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021.
London is crowned the number one destination in Europe and second overall, while the rest of the top five comprises Cancun, Mexico (third); Bali, Indonesia (fourth), and the Greek island of Crete (fifth). The highest-ranking American destination is Las Vegas, which comes 25th overall.
Dubai, pictured, has been revealed as the best-rated destination in the world in Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations
London is crowned the number one destination in Europe and second overall. Pictured is the city’s iconic Tower Bridge
According to Tripadvisor, the highest-ranking American destination is Las Vegas (pictured), which comes 25th overall
Other popular destinations to make it into the top 10 are Rome (sixth), Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas (seventh), the Turkish capital of Istanbul (eighth), Paris (ninth), and Hurghada in Egypt (10th).
Following Las Vegas in the US ranking is Oahu (second), Maui (third), Key West (fourth), New York (fifth), New Orleans (sixth), Savannah (seventh), Miami Beach (eighth), Nashville (ninth) and Sedona (10th).
The rest of the Europe top 10 is made up of Barcelona (sixth), Tenerife (seventh), Corsica (eighth), Edinburgh (ninth) and Florence (10th).
A temple in Bali. The Indonesian province lands fourth overall in Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travellers’ Choice Awards
The island of Crete is fifth overall and finishes third in the ‘Sun Seekers’ category. Pictured is the Cretan city of Chania
Topping the list of ‘Trending Destinations’ – locations around the world seeing the greatest year-over-year growth in reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor – is Majorca, Spain.
Tripadvisor says: ‘This gorgeous island with picturesque seaside coves, children friendly beaches and grandiose Moorish architecture is set to get busier as travellers from across the globe set their sights on a Majorcan getaway, so Brits planning a 2022 trip there should book up soon to make sure they don’t miss out.’
The rest of the top ten includes Cairo (second); Rhodes in Greece (third); Tulum, Mexico (fourth); Croatia’s Dubrovnik (fifth); Ibiza (sixth); Natal in Brazil (seventh); Arusha in Tanzania (eighth); Turkey’s Goreme (ninth), and the Greek island of Santorini (10th).
Tripadvisor describes Majorca (pictured), which tops the trending destinations list, as a ‘gorgeous island with picturesque seaside coves, children friendly beaches and grandiose Moorish architecture’
Next up? It’s the ‘Outdoor Enthusiasts’ category, which ranks the world’s National Parks. Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica takes the top spot on the podium.
Describing it as ‘one of Costa Rica’s top hiking destinations’, Tripadvisor says: ‘Arenal Volcano National Park offers a range of trails that wind through wildlife-rich rainforest and old lava flows, all anchored by one of the world’s most active volcanoes.’
India’s Jim Corbett National Park comes second overall, followed by the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania (third), the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya (fourth), and South Africa’s Kruger National Park (fifth).
Arenal Volcano National Park (pictured) in Costa Rica is the top-ranking national park for 2022 and ‘offers a range of trails that wind through wildlife-rich rainforest and old lava flows, all anchored by one of the world’s most active volcanoes’
Hampshire’s New Forest National Park (pictured) ranks 10th in the world and first in Europe
Snowdonia National Park in Wales, pictured above, places 11th overall in the ‘Outdoor Enthusiasts’ category (which ranks national parks), ranking above the likes of global big-hitters such as Banff National Park in Canada (12th globally), Grand Canyon National Park in the United States (15th globally) and Iceland’s Vatnajokull National Park (19th globally)
The UK’s national parks perform well – Hampshire’s New Forest National Park ranks 10th in the world and first in Europe, while Snowdonia National Park in Wales places 11th overall and is number two in Europe.
They both rank above the likes of global big-hitters such as Banff National Park in Canada (12th globally), Grand Canyon National Park in the United States (15th globally) and Iceland’s Vatnajokull National Park (19th globally).
Other UK parks recognised by the awards include Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park and Dartmoor National Park in Devon, placing sixth and seventh in Europe respectively.
Other highly-ranked parks included Fiordland National Park in New Zealand (sixth); the Denali National Park and Preserve in the US (seventh); Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park (eighth), and New Zealand’s Westland Tai Poutini National Park (ninth).
In the ‘Food Lovers’ category, the gold medal goes to Rome – a city ‘whetting the appetites of travellers from around the globe with its authentic pasta dishes and can’t-miss gelato’, according to Tripadvisor. Pictured is the city’s Trevi Fountain
Moving on to the ‘Food Lovers’ category, the gold medal goes to Rome – a city ‘whetting the appetites of travellers from around the globe with its authentic pasta dishes and can’t-miss gelato’, according to Tripadvisor.
The UK also triumphs in this category – London follows behind the Italian capital to take second place in the world and Europe. Also proving popular is Paris (third), Dubai (fourth), Barcelona (fifth), Madrid (sixth), Sao Paulo in Brazil (seventh), New York (eighth), Bangkok (ninth), and Singapore (10th).
Meanwhile, Dubai reigns supreme in the ‘City Lovers’ category, with Tripadvisor saying: ‘If you’re looking for a “Bright Lights, Big City” vibe, you can’t miss Dubai. Known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and lively nightlife, Dubai is the ultimate destination for city lovers.’
Paris, pictured, comes fifth in the ‘City Lovers’ category and third in the ‘Food Lovers’ ranking
Tripadvisor says: ‘For the many of us in need of a truly relaxing holiday, the white sand and sparkling azure waters of Cancun (pictured) are travellers’ favourite place to enjoy fun in the sun.’ The city is third overall and ranks number one in the ‘Sun Seekers’ category
Again, London does well here – it comes second in the world and ranks number one in Europe. Other cities that charmed TripAdvisor reviewers are Rome (third), Istanbul (fourth), Paris (fifth), Barcelona (sixth), Marrakech (seventh), Madrid (eighth), Cairo (ninth), and New Delhi, India (10th).
‘There’s sun, sea and sand aplenty to be enjoyed at these destinations,’ Tripadvisor says of the next category – ‘Sun Seekers’.
Cancun ranks number one, with the travel site noting: ‘For the many of us in need of a truly relaxing holiday, the white sand and sparkling azure waters of Cancun are travellers’ favourite places to enjoy fun in the sun.’
The rest of the sun-kissed top 10 is made up of Bali (second), Crete (third), Cabo San Lucas (fourth), Playa Del Carmen in Mexico (fifth), the Dominican Republic (sixth), Majorca (seventh), Hurghada (eighth), Tenerife (ninth) and Corsica (10th).
Zermatt (pictured) is ranked as the No.1 ski resort in the world. Tripadvisor says that it’s an ‘Alpine paradise’
Where’s best for skiers? According to Tripadvisor, Zermatt in Switzerland is the number one ski resort in the world. It says: ‘Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is travellers’ favourite ski area in the town, described as an “Alpine paradise”.’
North America dominates the top 10 – in the USA, Jackson ranks in second place, followed by Park City (eighth) and Breckenridge (10th). Canada’s Banff (third), Whistler (fourth), and Jasper (seventh) also impressed Tripadvisor reviewers.
Other resorts that place highly include Queenstown in New Zealand (fifth), Ortisei in Italy (sixth), and Chamonix in France (ninth).
North America dominates the top 10 destinations for skiers – in the USA, Jackson (pictured) ranks in second place
Canada’s Whistler, pictured above, impressed Tripadvisor reviewers in the ‘Skiers’ category, ranking fourth
Tripadvisor says: ‘If 2021 was the year travellers dipped their toes in the water with smaller getaways and outdoors trips, 2022 is shaping up to be the year we return to travel in a big way. Despite new variant surges, data shows that the desire to travel remains stronger than ever.’
According to a survey carried out by the travel site, 78 per cent of Britons say that they are ‘likely to travel for leisure in 2022, compared to 72 per cent of those who said that they travelled for leisure in 2019’.
Steven Paganelli – Director, Destinations, Hotels and OTAs, Americas at Tripadvisor – says: ‘As the world returns to travel, priorities are changing, and people want more memorable experiences on their trips. Almost three-quarters (70 per cent) of Brits say that it’s important they “see new places” when thinking about their future travel plans.
‘There is a whole world out there to choose from, and we want to help guide travellers looking to take the best trips for them – whatever that perfect holiday destination may look like. From adventure to R&R, the 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Destinations includes several subcategories created to reflect the best places to go no matter what type of trip you’re after.’
To see all the 2022 Travellers’ Choice Destinations winners, across all subcategories, visit tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Destinations.