Where in the world are travelers looking to go in 2017? What destinations are beckoning the itchy feet, wanderlust driven, adventure seeking, and culturally curious?
We have the answer based on search data from our user base, who come to Stride seeking relevant quick access to information on tours and travel destinations.
First we looked at where travelers are interested in this summer. Within the date range of May 2017 to August 2017, we came up with 7 Trending Destinations vs the previous year. The top queries included a wide mix, from Nepal to New Zealand.
Without further adieu, here they are...
The Top 7 Trending Destinations of Summer, 2017
1. Morocco
Morocco comes in at number 1, and with it's unique culture, at the cross-section of Africa and Europe, bustling markets, beautiful architecture, and rolling dunes where you can ride camels, it's not hard to see why. Moroccos is appealing to those looking to get off the beaten path and stretch their comfort zone as a traveler.
2. Peru
Iconic Machu Picchu has drawn travelers to Peru for centuries. The famous Incan ruins high in the mountains can be accessed by embarking upon the famous Inca Trail, or one of the more challenging lesser known routes such as the Lares or Salkantay Trek.
But part of Machu Picchu’s appeal is that you don’t have to trek to get there. Taking the PeruRail from Cusco is extremely popular for older travelers and families, or if you have a time crunch.
But Machu Picchu is just one part of what makes Peru special. There’s also many more ruins to explore, fascinating Lake Titicaca, and the enigmatic Nazca Lines.
Andrew Figari of Kuoda Travel, a local company specializing in travel around Peru, had this to say: "Peru inspires amazement - it is complex with the most intricate and elaborate traditional weavings. With its rich and astonishingly varied landscapes, combined with the fact that with its stunning scenery Peru has the power to stop people in their tracks. A compelling history, a legacy of fascinating cultures, civilizations, and foreign influences which have formed a harmonious ensemble that still exists today…Peru is literally a place for all interests and ages…" ~ Andrew Figari | Marketing Director, Kuoda Travel
3. Nepal
We have seen Nepal grow exponentially in popularity. Already quite well known among hikers and trekkers for its famous mountain peak, travelers are also beginning to discover the beautiful culture of the Nepalese people.
As Toni Neubauer of Myths & Mountains, a tour company specializing in Nepal as well as Bhutan: "Where can you find eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, a jungle where the one-horned rhinos is growing, a country that goes from 100 feet above sea level to Mt. Everest in less than 100 miles and that has more than 100 different ethnic groups?
In Nepal, of course, one of the true gems of the world. Now, with the increase in road building and helicopter touring, Nepal is a country not just for trekkers, but for those who want to visit without hiking. Travelers can pass through villages that have seen few visitors and stay in good lodges looking out on some of the most magnificent views the world has to offer." ~ Toni Neubauer, President | Myths & Mountains
4. Croatia
No doubt Croatia has become a top Europe travel destination due to Game of Thrones. Split and Dubrovnik can feel like walking through King’s Landing with very little imagination! Aside from the Hollywood fame, Croatia is a great destination for beautiful coastal views, fascinating history, and nature. Don’t miss the incredible fairy like atmosphere in Plitvice National Park near Zagreb!
5. New Zealand
Another destination that owes much of its lasting popularity to the film industry, New Zealand’s landscapes are without equal. An adventure travel capital, Queenstown on the South Island is the hub from which you can go bungy jumping, jet boating, take a boat around stunning Milford Sound, and visit Lord of the Rings locations.
Drive north to visit wine country, walk on glaciers, and hike by Mount Cook. Venture to the North Island for Rotorua, Auckland, and Hobbiton. Truly New Zealand packs a punch despite its small size.
6. Spain
One of Western Europe’s most consistently popular destinations, Spain is fascinating for its many distinct regions. Combine a trip to #1, Morocco, in the south, or visit the wine regions and small coastal towns in the north.
Then in between you have Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona to the east. This is the perfect country for fans of art history, as you explore the Picasso Museum, Dali’s House, and admire architecture designed by Gaudi.
7. Iceland
Rivaling New Zealand for diverse and incredible landscapes, Iceland also may owe some of its popularity to Game of Thrones. Beyond the wall, Iceland is a wild and wonderful destination - boasting amazing waterfalls, wild horses, and endless stretches of lava fields, caves, and black sand beaches. Be sure to visit in the winter for the Northern Lights!
But that’s not all!
We also looked at our search data from January 2017 to August 2017 to bring you the Top 25 destinations travelers are interested in this year.
Here are the Top 25 Destinations of 2017...
1. Italy
2. Spain
3. Ireland
4. Cuba
5. Iceland
6. Peru
7. Alaska
8. India
9. China
10. Nepal
11. Greece
12. Morocco
13. New Zealand
14. Costa Rica
15. Japan
16. Canada
17. England
18. Australia
19. Vietnam
20. South Africa
21. France
22. Egypt
23. Croatia
24. Thailand
25. Scotland
Our methodology:
This article presents results of a study which examined Travelstride's Internal Data based on search query volume and aggregated, anonymized Google Analytics data for the past one and half years, ending in Aug. 2017. Results from 2016 and 2017 were compared to evaluate hypothesized change in search volume for a given destination.
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