Events
Intrepid Travel lists top underrated destinations for 2026
Intrepid Travel has released its top 10 under-the-radar destinations for 2026, with Sierra Leone’s Tiwai Island taking the top spot. The company’s Not Hot List showcases areas with lower visitor numbers, infrastructure readiness for increased tourism, and new events due in 2026. The 2026 list emphasises ecotourism, with Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan and Mexico’s Sierra Norte mountain ranges placing second and third. “Our annual Not Hot List seeks to inspire travellers to discover different and unique experiences, with communities that can truly benefit from more visitors,” said Intrepid Travel’s general manager of Global Experiences, Erica Kritikides. “The places on this list combine authenticity with ambition: where tourism strategies, infrastructure investments and community-led initiatives are laying the foundations for sustainable growth.” Wildlife sanctuary Tiwai Island was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July, and direct flights from London to Sierra Leone began earlier in the year. The country reported just 60,890 overnight foreign visitors in 2024, with its government also launching a decade-long plan to attract tourism that year. The list also includes Croatia’s Vis Island, Turkey’s Southeastern Anatolia
Travel economy driven by affordability, sports: MEI
Travellers are increasingly motivated by affordability, sports, and wellness in 2025, according to a report by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI). Tokyo and Osaka are 2025’s top trending summer destinations, the report found, having seen the largest increase in tourism over previous years as Japan’s yen depreciated. Sports events like the Champions League final and the Baseball World Series have also led to major growth in tourism. “According to MEI’s analysis, Tokyo and Osaka will be the top two trending global tourist destinations this summer, with the largest increase in tourism demand relative to previous levels, continuing last year’s trajectory. Its currency depreciation, although it has recently partially reversed, presumably is still a significant factor making it a desirable place to visit,” according to the report. “The other destinations on the list highlight the importance of value — particularly in the Asia Pacific region — and the appeal of beach towns, such as Mallorca, Spain; Nha Trang, Vietnam and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.” Asia Pacific destinations listed include Shanghai, Seoul, and Beijing. Japan’s increase in tourism is partly driven by the yen’s depreciation. Its 1% decline against China’s yua
UN Tourism celebrates Global Tourism Resilience Day
The United Nations is marking Global Tourism Resilience Day, hoping to boost sustainable and adaptable tourism development worldwide. U.N. Tourism has said it seeks to promote environmental preservation and economic growth through tourism, particularly in developing countries. Its annual conference on resilient tourism will be held this week. The day “aims to emphasiSe the need to foster resilient tourism development to deal with shocks, taking into account the vulnerability of the tourism sector to emergencies,” according to the U.N. “It is also a call for action for Member States to develop national strategies for rehabilitation after disruptions, including through private-public cooperation and the diversification of activities and products.” Global Tourism Resilience Day was first adopted in 2023. An International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism will be celebrated in 2027, the U.N. said in 2024. International tourism returned to pre-pandemic levels last year, the U.N.’s World Tourism Barometer reported in January. The annual Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo will be held in Negril, Jamaica from 17-19 February. Discussions will focus on building tourism resilience through new technolog