If you’ve planned a trip in the last twelve months, chances are social media has influenced your travels.
TikTok is a great place for travel destination recommendations, where you get all the essential Insta-worthy photos, restaurants, cheap eats and must-do activities.
In fact, about 60% of TikTok users in the US said they were inspired to travel to a new place after watching a video about it on the app.
Now TikTok has revealed the most popular travel destinations of 2023, with Mexico dominating and taking the top spot.
While the country known for its tacos and tequila topped the list, social media platform also named Dubai the best city to travel to this year.
We have an overview of the most popular places on TikTok this year….
Mexico
Mexico has received 180 billion views on the app, which is no surprise considering the breathtaking views and dreamy cities it has to offer.
For art lovers, Mexico City is perfect, while Bacalar offers a cheaper alternative to the Maldives. Guadalajara offers you the perfect shot of tequila and Puerto Vallarta is great for LGBTQ+ events.
Tripadvisor also names Cancun as one of the best destinations for the winter months. From December to February, temperatures reached maximums of around 28°C.
France
France was the second most popular country on TikTok and the hashtag was viewed 72.6 billion times worldwide.
The beautiful French Riviera went viral on the app, as did people skipping through the lavender fields of Provence.
Meanwhile, influencers marched through Paris in trendy costumes and sang the lyrics of the Taylor Swift song named after the city of romance.
France also launched a budget travel card for just €49 (£42) in September, which may have boosted its popularity. Anyone traveling in France with the rail pass can travel unlimitedly throughout the country for a month.
Japan
A more distant target is Japan, which reached 53.7 billion views worldwide this year and is expected to continue that trend.
Skyscanner recently didn’t even list destinations in Japan for the top 10 most popular destinations for 2024 and Metro’s very own travel queen Lizzie Thomson explored everything from Tokyo to Kawagujiko and Kyoto to Hiroshima City.
If you’re looking for dream hotels to book for your 2024 trip to the land of Mount Fuji and high-tech toilets, try Bellustar Tokyo or the Four Seasons Otemachi.
Canada
The fourth most popular destination on TikTok is home to maple syrup and moose: Canada.
With unparalleled views, it’s no wonder the massive country has 47.9 billion views worldwide!
Canada can be particularly well traveled at this time of year as skiers take to the slopes of Whistler and has many exciting must-visit locations such as Banff National Park, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
However, Metro also suggests putting Newfoundland on your 2024 travel list. Think icebergs, hiking, whale watching, Terra Nova National Park, one of the ‘Four Corners of the World’, kayaking with marine life and even an accordion festival.
Italy
Italy rounds out TikTok’s top five most popular countries on the app.
We have to say it’s one of our favorites, with Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast on the same page, but there are several other places not to be missed.
The Dolomites are known for their ski huts, but we recommend going out of season. It is a melting pot of Italian and German culture; most residents speak both, as well as Latin and English.
Or experience Venice like a local, stay on the private island of Isola delle Rose and eat the best and most authentic pasta you can find at Ostaria Antico Dolo, right on the Ponte di Rialto.
Another good choice of ours: Calabria. It is the perfect dupe for Puglia. The southern region has beautiful sandy (and rocky) beaches along the rugged coastline. Although it is a popular holiday destination for Italians, it is largely unknown to people outside the country.
But TikTok didn’t just release its top countries. It also shared its most popular cities on the app…
Dubai
When the TikTok algorithm even combs through your search history, it conjures up images of Dubai – with its Palm Jumeirah, Shopping malls and influencers taking their bikini photos on the beach.
The city has no less than 76.8 billion views on TikTok worldwide, making it the most popular city in 2023.
Also try the action-packed smaller town of Ras Al Khaimah. It offers a taste of the UAE’s rich pearl diving history and offers countless activities for the adventurous, including the world’s longest and highest zipline.
Paris
Although spring and summer are traditionally good times to visit the City of Light, Paris only seems to become more magical when it rains.
With 47.8 billion views worldwide, it’s the second most popular city of the year, but we can’t help but think that some of those views are due to the dreaded bedbug epidemic.
A little more relaxed would be Disney Land Paris, which attracts millions of Disney fans every year, complete with a marriage proposal and Mickey Mouse ears.
New York
Ah, the big apple. With 54.6 billion views worldwide, it will be the third most popular city on TikTok in 2023, according to Empire State of Mind.
If you go to the famous city, book a stay at Conrad Midtown, which offers beautiful views of the entire Central Park.
Even better views are available from the city’s newest observation deck, Summit One Vanderbilt, where mirrored floors and hanging glass ledges give the dizzying feeling of being on top of the world.
Miami
Another personal favorite of ours is number four on the list: Miami. It has 32.1 billion views worldwide, and for good reason.
While it will certainly break your bank account, Miami’s Lincoln Avenue is a great shopping spot and Espanola Way offers a variety of restaurants, away from the hectic hustle and bustle of Ocean Beach.
Wynwood will capture everyone’s heart, think of a slightly more daring Camden or Shoreditch, with a dream food market and the cutest boutiques.
Los Angeles
Last but not least, LA is home to Hollywood stars and the cast of Selling Sunset, with 22.9 billion views worldwide.
No wonder, because LA offers lifestyle and beautiful weather. Visit the Venice Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier and Griffith Observatory to be a real tourist.
Of course, don’t forget the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you’ll find countless famous names to awkwardly take a selfie with.
Source: Metro
Source: Metro
I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.
