Which apps does the average tourist always keep on hand while travelling? Google Maps, as to not get lost. Booking, in case they need to change hotels quickly because of the terrible service. And TripAdvisor, because we can’t go without checking the reviews of the restaurant we’ve booked anymore. Are all those reviews relevant and fair? No. Do we still consider them? Yes. And that’s exactly why TripAdvisor’s yearly Travelers’ Choice Awards are such a big deal. The winners aren’t chosen by experts but by regular, average travelers like us and we’re loving it.
Since the Travelers’ Choice Awards are based on reviews of places to go, stay and things to do in destinations, ranking as the world’s best means a destination has obtained stellar traveler reviews across all of its tourism sectors.
Justin Reid, director of media, destinations and travel at TripAdvisor, told CNN Travel
One part of the Travelers’ Choice Awards always consists of the Best of the Best Destinations. A list with ten destinations spread out all over the world, chosen by people like you and me. And this year, it’s mundane Dubai that got to take the first place in the ranking. What once was a small fishing village is now one of the most expensive and sought-after holiday destinations in the world.
1. Why Dubai?
“An always popular spot, Dubai has been slowly rising in the ranks of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards over the past few years, and now in 2022 takes the crown of the number one most popular destination in the world. Dubai is an ultramodern city that has it all: golden beaches, world-class dining, and gorgeous hotels. Since the Travelers’ Choice Awards are based on reviews of places to go, stay and things to do in destinations, ranking as the world’s best means a destination has obtained stellar traveler reviews across all of its tourism sectors. Despite the effects of the pandemic, Dubai still attracted visitors from near and far over the past year, and has stood out as their favorite place to go in a year when they really needed some excitement”, Justin Reid, director of media, destinations and travel at TripAdvisor, told CNN Travel.
If because of this you’re considering visiting Dubai for yourself, you should know the United Arab Emirates still has some Covid-19 travel restrictions in place. For travelers from most countries, a negative Covid-19 RT‑PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure suffices. For travelers from some countries, however, specific regulations apply.
2. Top 10 best destinations
Of course, there’s more to the Best of the Best Destinations than just the number one. This year, the British capital London comes in second and Cancún in Mexico closes off the top three.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- London, United Kingdom
- Cancún, Mexico
- Bali, Indonesia
- Crete, Greece
- Rome, Italy
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Paris, France
- Hurghada, Egypt
