Americans Travel records broken in 2024 According to the TSA, December 1 is shaping up to be the busiest day ever at the nation’s airports.
And we are clearly moving forward with destinations around the world groaning under the burden of overtourism , some louder than others,
More than 20.2 million American travelers head to Europe in 2023, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office — millions more than before the pandemic, when 17.3 million jumped across the pond in 2019.
What does a very small continent with a population twice the population of Portugal or Switzerland have to do with such attention, and, if trends continue, far larger than that by 2025? (And we’re just a fraction of the total the continent sees in any given year.)
Well, if you’re Spain, or France, or Italy, you take drastic measures – like Start charging for selfies at Rome’s Trevi Fountainor consider Ban on Airbnbs in Barcelona,
But if you’re from one of the lesser-known countries, you look at the tourist attractions and say, How can we get involved in that?
Travel writer and expert Simon Calder believes two European destinations are perfect for the party – exotic, offbeat places where they should be careful what they wish for, because they might just get it.
“All the indications that we have seen, for example the figures of people airports And the latest figures from travel companies show that our appetite for travel is insatiable. And 2025 is going to be spectacular with broader horizons than ever before,” Calder said. daily Express,
Their underrated first pick for 2025? Bulgaria.
For one, he points out, all this demand for travel is going to ensure that we’ll pay more — which could potentially lead more of us to think about less-appreciated places where inflation has set in motion. Has not been maintained.
Reasons to visit – Black Sea beach resort towns like Albena, Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, ski hotspots like Bansko and Pamporovo, the city of Sofia and a complex history that has seen many different civilizations leave their mark on the architecture, culture and landscape.
Best of all, you’ll enjoy a fraction of the crowds you find in neighboring Greece and Türkiye.
In 2023, Bulgaria sees 8.6 million arrivals for tourism purposes – a 13% increase from 2022, but peanuts compared to the major European favourites.
By comparison, Spain is estimated to welcome 90 million tourists this year, the Express said — that’s a lot less space on the beach.
Next, it’s over to the Adriatic, where Calder loves a country that’s rated one of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations.
“I’ve also got money on Albania as an emerging destination,” Calder revealed.
“Great beaches, friendly people and 20th century prices.”
Albania is home to dramatic mountains, beaches that have been dubbed the “Maldives of Europe,” a bustling capital and gorgeous ruins in various states of disrepair that are Instagram-ready.
Only 10 million foreign visitors entered the country for leisure purposes in 2023. This number is expected to increase.
