These are the most popular travel destinations of 2023

When deciding where to spend our holidays, many of us dream of white sandy beaches, beautiful sunshine and a dip in the crystal blue sea.

It’s no surprise that Costa Rica was the most popular vacation destination of 2023.

With so much natural beauty, amazing wildlife and a climate that rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius, the country has everything you could want for an unforgettable trip.

ForwardKeys’ research analyzed airline tickets booked through September 26, 2023, including flights departing after that date.

Using 2019 – the last ‘normal’ year before the pandemic – they looked at the countries that saw the biggest growth in the number of tickets booked to identify the most popular travel destinations.

Costa Rica tops the list with 19% growth compared to 2019, followed by the Dominican Republic (18%) and Colombia (14%).

Seven of the top 10 countries have a Caribbean coast, including Jamaica at number four, Puerto Rico at number five and the Bahamas at number nine.

There was only one European country in the top ten, Greece, which recorded 6% growth since 2019 – and 11% growth since 2022.

Destinations in the Caribbean are believed to have boomed post-pandemic as many of us dreamed of flying to warmer climes as coronavirus restrictions kept us at home.

However, as tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels, countries need to rethink their relationship with tourism.

Olivier Ponti, vice president of ForwardKeys Insights, said: “In 2023, many destinations and travel companies remained focused on recovering from Covid-19.”

“The pace of this recovery varies by region, but will be complete by the end of 2024, even for countries that have recently lifted travel restrictions.

“This takes destinations back to the problems they faced before the pandemic. Where do you want to go with tourism? What kind of tourism? With what purpose? While questions remain, the context has changed, shaped by geopolitical events, technological advances, and increasing sustainability concerns.

‘Growth at any price’ is no longer possible. Destinations and travel companies must focus on new tourism models that are socially, economically and environmentally responsible.”