I am not unique in enjoying some reflection at this time of the year. While time seems to fly, it is when we reflect that we realise that there is indeed a full year behind us!
During 2014 I was privileged to travel to some wonderful places – some I have been to many times before and others for the first time. And while I enjoy the familiarity of some of the destinations we frequent, an introduction to a foreign culture stays one of my favourite things – whether I am visiting for work or leisure.
I had a look at some of the most popular travel destinations for 2014.
Travelandleisure.com’s top 25 holiday destinations:
- Cape Town
- Uruguay
- Warsaw
- Iceland
- Pangulasian Island, Philippines
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
- Kerala, India
- Miami, Florida
- Nashville
- Meadsbay, Anguilla
- Sochi, Russia
- Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido, Mexico
- Burma
- Palermo, Italy
- Zimbabwe
- California Wine Country
- Tetiaroa, French Polynesia
- Santa Marta, Colombia
- Lombok, Indonesia
- Palm Springs, California
- Helsinki, Finland
- Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
- Mokapu Beach, Maui, Hawaii
- Dominica, Caribbean
Conde Nast Traveller lists the most popular cities for business tourism:
- São Paulo
- Mexico City
- Paris
- Hong Kong
- Tokyo
- Beijing
- Singapore
- Shangai
- London
According to MasterCard’s 2014 Global Destination Cities Index, the Top 20 Destination Cities by International Overnight Visitors for the past year, are:
- London
- Bangkok
- Paris
- Singapore
- Dubai
- New York
- Istanbul
- Kuala Lumpur
- Hong Kong
- Seoul
- Barcelona
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome
- Taipei
- Shanghai
- Vienna
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Tokyo
- Lima
Instagram’s most geotagged travel destinations for the year:
- Disneyland, California
- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
- Times Square, New York
- Siam Paragon shopping mall, Bangkok
- Gorky Park, Moscow
- The Louvre, Paris
- Red Square, Moscow
- Madison Square Garden, New York
- Yankee Stadium, New York
- Dubai Mall
And then, according to Facebook, the world’s most popular honeymoon check-ins.
- Las Vegas, USA
- Lahaina, USA
- Honolulu, USA
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Cancún, Mexico
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Antalya, Turkey
- Castries, St. Lucia
- Gramado, Brazil
Looking at these lists, I definitely frequent the business rather than leisure destinations – something to consider when making my New Year’s resolutions!
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Featured image source Photo by Greg Lumley