Dubai has been ranked as the most popular destination in the world for the second year running by the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations.
The winners for the 2023 awards were identified based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings specific to several award subcategories from travellers on Tripadvisor for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations worldwide over the 12 months between November 2021 and October 2022.
Tripadvisor says of first-place Dubai: ‘A favourite with celebs and influencers, the “City of Gold” continues to attract tourists from all over the world seeking out their very own slice of luxury.’
London retains its crown as the Europe number one but has slipped to third place in the global ranking, tailing behind second-place Bali, Indonesia, while the rest of the global top five is made up of Rome (fourth) and Paris (fifth). The highest-ranking American destination is New York, which ranks 23rd overall.
Dubai has been revealed as the most popular holiday hotspot in the world in Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations
Bali, Indonesia, ranks in second place in the global popularity ranking. Above is the province’s Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
In the ‘Popular Destinations’ ranking, London retains its crown as the Europe number one but has slipped to third place globally
Other popular destinations to make it into the top 10 are Cancun, Mexico (sixth); the Greek island of Crete (seventh); Marrakech, Morocco (eighth), the Dominican Republic (ninth); and Istanbul (10th).
The rest of the Europe top 10 ranking, meanwhile, is made up of Barcelona (sixth), Madrid (seventh), Florence (eighth), Lisbon (ninth) and Edinburgh (10th).
Looking to the other categories in the awards, the list of ‘Trending Destinations’ – locations around the world seeing the greatest year-over-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor – is topped by Cuba. On a visit, Tripadvisor recommends that travellers wander around the charming streets of Old Havana.
The silver medal goes to the Vietnamese city of Hoi An, where Tripadvisor suggests hitting the Ba Na Hills theme park and strolling along the picturesque Golden Bridge.
Paris snaps up fifth place in the global popularity ranking
In terms of popularity, the highest-ranking American destination is New York, which ranks 23rd overall
Edinburgh snaps up 20th place in the global popularity ranking and is 10th in Europe
Third place, meanwhile, is handed to Mauritius, where Tripadvisor recommends that you take a catamaran cruise to the private island of Ile aux Cerfs.
The rest of the top ten Trending list features Siem Reap, Cambodia (fourth); Chiang Mai, Thailand (fifth); Grand Cayman (sixth); Fes, Morocco (seventh); Baku, Azerbaijan (eighth); Kathmandu, Nepal (ninth), and Krakow, Poland (10th).
There are two new categories this year, one of which is the ‘Best of Nature Destinations’, which celebrates travellers’ appetite for adventure and the great outdoors and sets out to inspire budding explorers who are planning bucket list trips.
Tripadvisor reveals: ‘Whether you’re hiking through national parks or swimming in a cenote, these are travellers’ favourite places to enjoy the outdoors.’
Mauritius has scooped the inaugural top spot for this category, followed by Kathmandu, Nepal, in second place and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park bagging the bronze medal.
Making up the remainder of the top 10 are Hurghada, Egypt (fourth); Lombok, Indonesia (fifth); Kauai, Hawaii (sixth); Majorca, Spain (seventh); Grand Cayman in the Caribbean (eighth); Corsica, France (ninth) and Koh Tao, Thailand (tenth).
Topping the list of ‘Trending Destinations’ – locations around the world seeing the greatest year-over-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor – is Cuba. Above is the city’s charming Old Havana area
The silver medal in the ‘Trending’ ranking goes to Hoi An, Vietnam, where Tripadvisor suggests strolling along the picturesque Golden Bridge (above)
Mauritius, above, is the number one ‘Nature’ destination and ranks third on the ‘Trending’ list
Aimed at art, history and culture lovers, the other new category this year is ‘Best Places for Culture’. Tripadvisor says that the top spots in this ranking offer ‘iconic sights and experiences you can’t find anywhere else’.
The historic Moroccan city of Fes tops the podium, followed by Jerusalem in second place, Athens in third, Dublin in fourth and the Indian city of Jaipur in fifth.
Other culturally-rich destinations to appear in the top 10 include Cuba (sixth); the Hungarian capital of Budapest (seventh); Berlin (eighth); Seville in Spain (ninth); and Colombo, Sri Lanka (tenth).
Next up? It’s the foodie category. The ‘Best Food Destinations’ ranking highlights places that are known for their cuisine and ‘burgeoning dining scenes’. Tripadvisor adds: ‘You’ll find some of the best local flavours in these top spots.’
Tripadvisor notes that food is a top priority for British travellers, with 57 per cent most excited about what restaurants to visit when it comes to planning a trip, according to the company’s latest Travel Index.
Echoing last year’s results, Rome reigns supreme for foodies worldwide. While London ranked second in the 2022 ranking, this year it has slipped out of sight – it fails to make either the global top 20 list or the Europe top 10 list.
A new category this year is ‘Best Places for Culture’, with the historic Moroccan city of Fez taking the top spot. Above is the city’s Chouara Tannery
Tripadvisor’s ‘Best of Culture’ list highlights spots that offer ‘iconic sights and experiences you can’t find anywhere else’. Dublin, pictured, is fourth
The ‘Best Food Destinations’ ranking highlights places that are known for their cuisine and ‘burgeoning dining scenes’, with Rome (above) topping the podium
Instead, first place Rome is followed by Crete (second); Hanoi, Vietnam (third); Florence (fourth); Paris (fifth); Barcelona (sixth); Lisbon (seventh); Naples, Italy (eighth); New Orleans, Louisiana (ninth) and Jamaica (tenth).
Where should skiers hit the slopes in 2023? That question is answered by the final category, which looks at the world’s ‘Best Places to Ski’. Tripadvisor says: ‘Black diamond vets and resort lovers agree: these are the best spots to get your ski (and apres-ski) on.’
It adds that Whistler, Canada, is the number one ski destination in the world this year thanks to its ‘stunning landscape and down-to-earth mountain culture’.
Above, a skier hits the slopes in Whistler, Canada, the ski resort that ranks as this year’s number-one ski destination
Pictured is Zermatt in Switzerland, which tops the European ski ranking and lands third globally
Another North American resort swoops into second place – Jackson, Wyoming – while Zermatt in Switzerland tops the European ranking and lands third globally.
Filling out the rest of the top 10 are Chamonix, France (fourth); Livigno, Italy (fifth); Trento, Italy (sixth); Park City, Utah (seventh); Anchorage, Alaska (eighth); Lake Tahoe, California (ninth) and Durango, Colorado (tenth).
See the winners across all subcategories here: tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Destinations.