Surprising Destinations Experiencing Tourism Boom In 2017

By Author: Guru Karanam
Total Articles: 9
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The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has come up with a new report revealing places which are 2017’s fastest growing tourist destinations. Some of the names on the list are surprising, to say the least. For instance, Tunisia and Egypt featuring among the top ten destinations bears witness of the ability and resilience of these nations to bounce back despite a string of terrorist attacks recently. It also speaks volumes about the changing attitudes of travelers willing to stray from the beaten path onto the adventurous less-traveled roads. Here are a few of the many fastest growing tourist destinations in 2017 which came as a surprise. Maybe you could make one of these your next travel destination.

1. Palestine

Arguably one of the most strife-ridden places in the world, Palestine is witnessing a surprising boom in its tourism industry. As per the UNWTO, there has been an estimated 57.8 per cent rise in tourist arrivals in Palestine so far this year. In Palestine’s West Bank, famed street artist Banksy opened “Walled Off Hotel,” a boutique hotel earlier this year. By the end of the year, ...
... Palestine is set to welcome an estimated 630,000 tourists. Seems like Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel which overlooks the Israeli West Bank barrier has helped boost the country’s tourism.

2. Egypt

Egypt has found its silver lining on the cloud after its tourism suffered a torrid time recently with the downing of a Russian Passenger Jet in 2015. Attributed to terrorism, this incident has deterred many from traveling to the North African nation. While Britain and Russia still do not operate flights to Egypt, this hasn’t stopped travelers from other nations across the world from flocking to Egypt. The country has seen an estimated 51 per cent increase in tourist traffic and is well on its way to welcoming about 8 million travelers in 2017.

3. Northern Mariana Islands

This surprising archipelago, a self-governing US commonwealth sector, welcomed about 531,000 tourists in 2016 and is well on its way to becoming one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world. UNWTO reports an estimated 37.3 per cent increase in tourist traffic to this stunning island with swaying palms and shimmery, powdery beaches. While the tourist traffic doesn’t seem like it’s huge, this is still a long way to come for the islands. People mostly flock here for a peaceful time by themselves without having to jostle for space on the roads or the beach.

4. Iceland

Often dubbed as the “Disneyland for adults,” Iceland has always been a popular tourist destination. Tourist traffic has seen an increase in as much as 34.9 per cent this year with no end in sight. A lot of Iceland’s recent popularity has been attributed to the Game of Thrones series. With scenic natural landscape offering some of the most breathtaking views, Iceland is set to welcome at least 2.5 million merrymakers by the year end. The number is just an estimate which the actual arrivals could well supersede.

5. Tunisia

Tunisia’s tourism suffered as much as Egypt’s in 2015 when a gunman massacred about 38 people (about 30 of them Britons) on the Sousse Beach. The Tunisian hotel where the unfortunate massacre happened reopened earlier this year with the FCO easing travel advice (or warnings) to the country. So far, the arrivals to Tunisia are up by 32.5 per cent, and if this remarkable trend continues, Tunisia can well expect at least 7.5 million travelers to the country.

While these are just 5 places we’ve listed as surprise destinations to witness tourism boom this year, there are plenty more on the list released by UNWTO. Other countries on the list which make up the top 10 are Vietnam, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Mongolia and Israel. Found one you liked yet?

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