Tripadvisor reveals its ranking of the most popular travel destinations for 2022 and 2023

Dubai and Cuba are among the most popular travel destinations for 2022 and 2023. Dubai has maintained its position as the top destination on the platform for the second year running, while Cuba has seen significant growth in interest for 2023.

Best travel destinations 2022

The "Travelers' Choice of the Best Destination Awards," based on millions of reviews submitted by travellers globally, were announced by TripAdvisor at the beginning of the year.

"We've seen a resurgence in travel demand in 2022, and the outlook for this year is promising," says Sarah Firshein, Head of Editorial at Tripadvisor. "Long-distance travel has made a comeback, and we are seeing many Americans planning trips to Asia and the Pacific for the first time in years. During the pandemic, people avoided cities like Paris and London in favour of less populous destinations. Now we see that people are travelling there again, while places like Alaska and Cuba are attracting a lot of interest."

Awards ceremony in six categories

This year, the Travelers' Choice Destinations include six sub-categories: Popular Destinations, Trendy Destinations, Culinary Destinations, Best Places to Ski, Nature Destinations and Best Places for Culture.

It is the second year in a row that the city of Dubai found itself on top of Tripadvisor's ongoing list of the most popular destinations for travellers. As the global centre for luxury hospitality and innovative architecture, the "City of Gold" offers world-class retail and cultural offerings. In the US, New York City is back on top after dropping to fifth place last year due to the pandemic.

Cuba is the number one most popular destination in the world for 2023, a category that shows the destinations with the biggest year-on-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor. The category highlights new, up-and-coming hotspots. The US eased some travel restrictions in May and offered new direct flights which greatly increased travellers' interest in Cuba on Tripadvisor. The island is known for its ancient architecture and rich history and offers fascinating opportunities for cultural exchange. The second place is occupied by Hoi An in Vietnam in second place and Mauritius is in third place. Asia is the leading region in this category, occupying half of the top ten places.

Bab Bou Jelou - The Blue Gate, Fez, Morocco © Elsworth Frobisher, TheWorldPhotoTour.com

Destinations rated according to particular travel interests

In addition to popularity, Tripadvisor also gives awards for key travel interests: Food, Skiing, Nature, and Culture. Since many plan their trips around gastronomy, Tripadvisor has created a list of the best destinations for food. It lists places that are known for their cuisine as well as those that are famous for their burgeoning restaurant scene. Unsurprisingly, Rome tops the list of best culinary destinations for 2023. In the US, New Orleans tops the list.

Tripadvisor also presents the best places for skiing, as interest in this area has soared. With its stunning scenery and down-to-earth mountain culture, Whistler in Canada is the number one ski destination in the world this year.

Experience culture and nature

A novelty in 2023: the best nature destinations. It's no surprise that destinations with lots of fresh air and unspoiled nature have gained popularity during the pandemic. Although big cities are on the rise again, the desire for outdoor adventure remains unbroken. In this category, Mauritius was deemed the number one travel destination for nature lovers. The tropical island paradise 1,200 miles off the coast of Southeast Africa is home to waterfalls, wilderness areas and national parks, which makes it the perfect 2023 destination for all nature lovers.

Another innovation this year is the category "Best Cultural Places". Here, the best places to engage with local history and cultural activities have been awarded. Each city has its own unique culture, but this list shows travellers' absolute favourite places for a cultural trip. Fes in Morocco takes first place here. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and brings the Middle Ages to life. The old labyrinthine quarters of the medina, Fes el-Bali and the four imposing gates with their characteristic Moroccan tiles all contribute to this.

"Travellers are looking for new adventures above all else this year, and our Travelers' Choice 2023 Destinations list reflects the best places chosen by our loyal community," said Firshein. "The diverse selection offers opportunities for cultural immersion, incredible culinary experiences, awe-inspiring natural wonders and more - it truly is the ultimate guide for travellers dreaming of where to go next."