Travel possesses an unparalleled ability to connect us, ignite our imaginations, and even reshape our perspectives. Witnessing the raw power of a waterfall cascading in Newfoundland or gazing at the majestic Dolomites in Italy reminds us of the Earth’s breathtaking beauty. However, recent times have underscored that travel’s impact can be double-edged, potentially straining and even harming beloved destinations. Consequently, many locales are now implementing measures to manage the repercussions of overtourism.
In this guide to the top Places To Travel in the coming year, we spotlight destinations that are not only welcoming visitors with open arms and offering unforgettable experiences but are also leveraging tourism as a catalyst for positive change. Each of these 25 locations is committed to supporting local communities, safeguarding the environment, or preserving their unique cultural heritage through tourism. This curated list is the result of insights from seasoned travel journalists and leading voices in sustainable tourism, ensuring you’re choosing destinations that prioritize responsible travel.
As global tourism rebounds beyond pre-pandemic levels, and as climate change increasingly threatens iconic locations, thoughtful travel means considering how your journeys can contribute to a greater good.
From traversing otherworldly landscapes in Bolivia to experiencing Arctic glamping in Greenland, your next extraordinary adventure awaits.
Bubblegum-colored lake in Western Australia, a unique place to travel for natural wonders.
1. Dominica: Ethical Whale Encounters and Caribbean Charm
Dream of swimming with sperm whales? Dominica now provides this opportunity ethically and sustainably, a testament to the island’s dedication to marine conservation and regenerative tourism. This Caribbean gem recently established the world’s first sperm whale reserve, a protected marine area for these gentle giants. Limited, ethical whale swim permits offer intimate encounters, supporting research and creating sustainable tourism opportunities for locals.
2025 marks a new era for Dominica with improved infrastructure, including digital immigration forms and a cable car system from Roseau Valley to Boiling Lake, a massive thermal spring. Accessibility is enhanced with new United Airlines direct flights from Newark starting February 15, complementing existing American Airlines flights from Miami. Accommodation options are expanding with nearly 500 new rooms, a 25% increase, including the luxurious six-star Hilton Tranquility Beach Resort and Spa and the renowned eco-luxury Secret Bay.
Sperm whale reserve in Dominica, a leading place to travel for marine wildlife conservation.
Dominica is also the base for Project CETI, a pioneering effort to decode whale language using AI. Beyond marine life, explore Dominica’s hidden gorges, waterfalls, and savor local flavors at farm-to-table eateries like Lacou. Dominica is more than a destination; it’s a model for eco-tourism, balancing conservation with economic growth, ensuring your trip supports this natural paradise for future generations.
2. Naoshima, Japan: Art Island in the Seto Inland Sea
Naoshima Island, Japan, home to Yayoi Kusama’s iconic yellow Pumpkin sculpture, is a must-visit place to travel for contemporary art and architecture enthusiasts. Transformed from a copper smelting industry hub, Naoshima’s revival is thanks to Benesse Art Site Naoshima, which established museums and site-specific art in the stunning Seto Inland Sea.
Spring 2025 welcomes the Naoshima New Museum of Art, designed by Tadao Ando, adding to his nine existing projects on the island. This museum, showcasing Asian artists, is a highlight of the Setouchi Triennale, an art festival across 17 Seto Inland Sea islands and coastal areas. Spanning over 100 days across spring, summer, and autumn, the Triennale is the largest since its inception in 2010, revitalizing Naoshima and neighboring Teshima and Inujima islands.
Naoshima Island art scene, a unique place to travel for contemporary art in Japan.
Visit the Teshima Art Museum, a unique blend of art, architecture, and nature, and Inujima’s copper refinery turned epic art installation. For stays, consider Roka, a modern ryokan on Naoshima, or the minimalist Espoir Inn on Teshima. Naoshima exemplifies how art can transform a place and is an inspiring place to travel.
3. The Dolomites, Italy: Alpine Majesty Beyond the Crowds
While Italy’s iconic cities like Rome face overtourism, the Dolomites offer a stunning alternative place to travel in 2025. This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its dramatic sawtooth limestone cliffs, is a beloved destination for Italians, offering exquisite villages, world-class skiing (“white week”), hiking, and hearty Alpine cuisine. Often overlooked by international visitors, the Dolomites are poised to gain global attention.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, “Queen of the Dolomites,” is co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, with preparations throughout 2025. Expect infrastructure upgrades, expanded ski lift networks in the Dolomiti Superski area, and modernized public transit connections in towns like Alta Badia and Val Gardena. New cable cars, lifts, and gondolas will enhance the region.
Dolomites’ iconic mountain peaks, a top place to travel for stunning landscapes in Italy.
The Dolomites are captivating year-round. Spring, summer, and autumn offer trails like the new 170km Cammino Retico (Rhaetian Way). For luxury, the Aman Rosa Alpina hotel reopens in 2025 with expanded rooms and suites. Visit the Dolomites now, before the pre-Olympics buzz turns into peak season crowds.
4. Greenland: Accessible Arctic Adventures
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is an unparalleled place to travel. With vast ice caps, mountains, and majestic fjords, its unspoiled wilderness offers once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Summer brings hiking and whale watching; winter offers dog sledding and the aurora borealis. Previously remote and expensive, Greenland is now more accessible.
The new international airport in Nuuk, with two more to follow in 2026, makes Greenland travel easier. The country welcomes mindful adventurers who respect its nature and Inuit culture. Greenland has adopted a “better tourism” pledge, directing tourism funds to benefit local communities.
Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland, a unique place to travel for Arctic scenery and experiences.
Nuuk, a modern town with a historic waterfront, serves as a gateway to hiking, fishing, and glamping. Explore Ilulissat’s icebergs and the UNESCO-recognized Icefjord. Southern Greenland, once Viking settlements, features fjords and sheep farms. Greenland is opening up, making it an incredible place to travel in 2025.
5. Wales: Culture, Coast, and “Croeso”
Wales, smaller and less crowded than England, is brimming with national parks, medieval castles, and stunning landscapes – a truly appealing place to travel. 2025 is the Year of Croeso (“Welcome”), celebrating Welsh culture, language, and attractions, inviting visitors to “Feel the hwyl,” a Welsh word for profound joy in the moment.
Wales champions sustainable, culturally focused travel, using tourism to revive the Welsh language. A £5 billion program uses tourism funds for environmental sustainability. For Croeso, Wales invests in mobility bikes for exploring its wild side. The Wales Coast Path, the world’s only path along a country’s entire coastline, is a major draw.
Welsh coast path, a must-visit place to travel for hikers and coastal scenery.
Recent years have seen Wales emerge as a sustainable destination, making 2025 the perfect time to experience Welsh hospitality and explore its rich culture and natural beauty. Wales is an up-and-coming place to travel in Europe.
6. Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: Untamed Wilderness Beckons
Labrador, mainland Newfoundland and Labrador, is a vast, rugged region with coastal villages, icebergs, forests, and waterfalls, steeped in 9,000 years of history. The 2025 completion of the Trans-Labrador Highway, a 25-year, $1 billion project, transforms this remote landscape into an accessible place to travel.
The new circular route, Expedition 51, connects Labrador to five Canadian provinces, with detours to the US and France (via St Pierre and Miquelon). To promote sustainable tourism and celebrate local heritage, Canada invested $180m in Parks Canada sites in Western Newfoundland and Labrador. Red Bay National Historic Site, a UNESCO site and former Basque whaling station, debuts a new boardwalk and visitor center in 2025. L’Anse aux Meadows, North America’s first Norse settlement, enhances ecological protections. Gros Morne National Park introduces exhibits highlighting geology, wildlife, and landscapes.
Trans-Labrador Highway, opening up new places to travel in remote Canada.
Western Newfoundland and Labrador offer unparalleled wilderness experiences and historical exploration, now more accessible than ever, making it a prime place to travel for adventurous spirits.
7. Tucson, Arizona, US: Gastronomic Delights in the Desert
Tucson celebrates in 2025: the 10th anniversary as the first US UNESCO City of Gastronomy and its 250th founding anniversary. Originally Mexican, Tucson honors its multinational history and Native American cultures with a free event on August 23 at Presidio San Agustin del Tucson. Explore desert hiking trails and historic buildings like the 250-year-old San Xavier del Bac. Tucson will receive a Sustainability Index Award from GDS this year.
Tucson’s gardens hold the oldest continuously cultivated soil in the US, farmed by Tohono O’odham ancestors 4,000 years ago. Ancient herbs and crops remain staples in Tucson’s cuisine. Immerse yourself in its food scene at city-of-gastronomy-certified restaurants or Heirloom Farmers Markets, featuring local ingredients like chiltepin chilis and nopales.
Historic gardens in Tucson, a unique place to travel for culinary history and desert landscapes.
Tucson, with its rich culinary heritage and commitment to sustainability, offers a unique and flavorful place to travel in the US.
8. Western Australia: Gateway to Down Under Wonders
Perth and Western Australia (WA), long overshadowed by eastern cities, are emerging as Australia’s western gateway. With Australia’s only direct flights to Europe, Perth is becoming a global aviation hub with a $5 billion airport redevelopment. New Asian connections further position WA as a must-visit place to travel in 2025.
Beyond Perth and the Swan Valley Wine Region, WA’s vast landscapes encompass 12,500km of coastline, pink lakes, waterfalls, karri forests, wildflowers, and wildlife encounters. Explore it all sustainably on the new 6,600km Electric Vehicle Highway, the world’s longest EV charging network.
Pink lake in Western Australia, a surreal place to travel for natural beauty.
WA champions its cultural heritage through the A$20m Jina Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan, supporting Indigenous-led experiences. Learn about ancient cultures on walking tours or foraging tours. Explore Murujuga National Park’s petroglyphs, enjoy new infrastructure on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, boutique hotels in Fremantle, and unique stays in the Great Southern. WA is redefining Australian travel, making it an exciting place to travel.
9. Sri Lanka: Resilient Island Rebound
Sri Lanka, with tea plantations, wild elephants, ancient temples, and surf, is a diverse place to travel. After economic challenges in 2022, Sri Lanka aims to rebuild through tourism. Kandy will see its first seven-star hotel, Aviyana Private Chalets, while Aarunya Nature Resort has a new family villa for stargazing. A $1 billion mega-resort is opening in Colombo, and Sri Lanka’s new airline, Air Ceilão, will fly to Europe and Australia. The Good Travel Seal initiative supports sustainable businesses.
Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural hub, a place to travel for history and culture.
Enjoy a scenic train ride into the mountains, or explore Colombo and Galle’s mixology scene with arrack, a 5th-century drink. Hike the 300km Pekoe Trail through tea plantations. Self-drive a tuk-tuk across the island with an innovative startup. Sri Lanka is resilient and welcoming, making it a compelling place to travel in 2025.
10. Panama: Canal Anniversary and Biodiversity Hotspot
2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal. Exhibits at Museo del Canal highlight this history. However, Panama offers much more than the canal – vast jungles, islands, and forests. The Meaningful Travel Map to Panama launched in 2024, promoting locally led experiences.
Explore Panama City’s Casco Antiguo and El Chorrillo neighborhoods with Localinpty tours. Visit La Pintada to see UNESCO-recognized sombrero pintao Panama hat weaving. Hike the Cerro Gaital Lookout Trail in El Valle de Anton, named a UN Tourism Best Community Tourism Village in 2024, part of Panama’s 1,000 km of Trails project boosting sustainable tourism and showcasing biodiversity.
Panama City skyline, a vibrant place to travel in Central America with canal history.
Panama, celebrating its canal history and promoting sustainable tourism, is a diverse and enriching place to travel in 2025.
11. Rif Mountains, Morocco: Northern Morocco’s Hidden Gems
Morocco, with mountains, deserts, ancient cities, and culture, is a popular North African destination. The 2023 earthquake impacted tourism, but Morocco aims to double tourist arrivals in the next five years, preparing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Explore the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco to avoid crowds. The planned 2025-2027 High-Speed Rail expansion will link Rabat to Fez, a 1,300-year-old Rif Mountain city and UNESCO World Heritage medina, hosting Africa Cup of Nations 2025 games. Drive north from Fez to Moulay Idriss, an ancient hilltop village. Visit Ouezzane, a Sufism center, then Talassemtane National Park for hiking and natural swimming holes. Chefchaouen, the “Blue Pearl,” and Mediterranean fishing villages like El Jebha and Tetouan await further north.
Chefchaouen’s blue streets, a picturesque place to travel in Morocco’s Rif Mountains.
The Rif Mountains offer a less-traveled, culturally rich Moroccan experience, making it a unique place to travel in 2025.
12. Bradford, England: UK City of Culture 2025
Bradford, northern England, steps into the spotlight as the 2025 UK City of Culture. A year-long program includes the re-opening of the National Science and Media Museum and celebrations of local icons: David Hockney works at Salts Mill, Brontë sisters-inspired digital art, and a musical program blending genres.
Bradford’s diversity is reflected in its offerings: Little Germany’s 19th-century architecture, dramatic moors hosting an open-air sound walk and sculpture trail, and a vibrant multicultural community. Bradford became Britain’s first UNESCO City of Film, a setting for hits like Peaky Blinders and Wuthering Heights.
Bradford city center, a place to travel for culture and urban exploration in the UK.
An interactive cookbook project celebrating local recipes adds to Bradford’s appeal. In 2025, Bradford, a UNESCO City of Culture, is a destination for all tastes and a surprising place to travel in England.
13. Jordan: Adventure in the Middle East
Jordan, with breathtaking desert landscapes and Petra, a wonder of ancient civilization, evokes awe. It’s quietly becoming the Middle East’s go-to place to travel for outdoor adventures. Despite regional tensions affecting tourism, Jordan is considered relatively safe by travel advisories.
In 2023, the Wadi Rum Trail, a 120km hiking path, opened, showcasing Wadi Rum’s iconic landscapes seen in films like Star Wars and Dune. This community tourism project promotes sustainable travel, protecting the desert ecosystem and Bedouin culture.
Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, an adventurous place to travel in the Middle East.
Jordan boasts 33 protected ecosystems. Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve offers canyoning and wildlife spotting. Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest, home to diverse bird and mammal species. Aqaba Marine Reserve, added to the IUCN Green List in 2025, features coral reefs and diving. Jordan is an adventurous and historically rich place to travel.
14. Haa Valley, Bhutan: Himalayan Seclusion and Sustainability
Bhutan, once isolated, is a global sustainability leader: the world’s first carbon-negative nation with protected forests and Gross National Happiness as a measure of progress. Haa Valley, on Bhutan’s western frontier, is a hidden gem untouched by mass tourism. It’s now emerging, balancing preservation with thoughtful tourism.
Explore Haa’s beauty via the restored Trans Bhutan Trail, the new Haa Panorama Trail, and the Joy Bay Tsho Trek. Haa’s sustainable tourism prioritizes locally run homestays and low-impact accommodations like Katsho Eco Camp and Sangwa Camp. Experience Bon rituals and breakfast in Bhutan’s lone strict nature reserve, a biodiversity hotspot.
Haa Valley landscapes in Bhutan, a peaceful place to travel focused on sustainability.
With Bhutan’s Sustainable Daily Fee halved through 2027, this secluded paradise is more accessible, committed to low-impact tourism, making it a unique and responsible place to travel.
15. Hawaii, US: Responsible Rebuilding and Aloha Spirit
Hawaii, rebuilding after devastating Maui wildfires, welcomes responsible travelers. The Mālama Hawaii program, meaning “to protect,” encourages stewardship. Travelers can volunteer in over 350 opportunities, from forest restoration to community support, receiving discounted or free stays at hotels like the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.
Hawaiian beach scene, a place to travel responsibly and support local communities.
By participating in Mālama Hawaii, visitors contribute to the islands’ recovery and experience the true Aloha spirit. Hawaii, even in recovery, remains a beautiful and meaningful place to travel.
16. Uzbekistan: Youthful Energy and Silk Road Heritage
Uzbekistan, with a young population, blends ancient traditions with modern culture. Investing in tourism with new infrastructure and attractions, Uzbekistan aims to grow its economy and attract visitors. Tashkent’s metro, an art museum, reflects this blend.
Uzbekistan hosts its first major international Bukhara Biennial in September 2025. Cultural developments include the expanded State Museum of Arts and the restored Palace of Prince Romanov. Visa-free entry for over 90 countries since May 2024 and the president’s Global Green Tourism Startup Lab initiative further open up Uzbekistan. The Silk Road railway tour now connects Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Modern Uzbekistan culture, a place to travel for Silk Road history and contemporary art.
Uzbekistan, bridging the past and future, is an increasingly accessible and culturally rich place to travel in Central Asia.
17. Haida Gwaii, Canada: Indigenous Rights and Island Ecology
Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off British Columbia, offers nature, culture, and history. Isolated, ecologically rich, it’s home to 6,800+ species and the Haida People for 15,000+ years. The groundbreaking Gaayhllxid/Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement in 2025 recognizes the Council of the Haida Nation as the territory’s governing body, revitalizing Haida culture and environmental stewardship.
Explore Haida villages like SG̱ang Gwaay, a UNESCO site with ancient poles, and unique wildlife like the Haida Gwaii black bear. Guests learn Haida Laws, including Gina ‘waadluxan gud ad kwaagid (“everything depends on everything else”), emphasizing Earth care.
Haida Gwaii landscape, a place to travel for indigenous culture and unique Canadian nature.
Haida Gwaii, with its landmark agreement and commitment to Indigenous rights and ecology, is a profoundly meaningful place to travel in 2025.
18. Emerald Coast, Nicaragua: Surfing and Natural Beauty
Nicaragua, Central America’s largest country, is home to rainforests, lakes, volcanoes, and Granada, a UNESCO city celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2024. It remains less visited, but this may change with the new Carretera Costanera highway, linking 53 beaches along the Pacific Coast.
The $400m, 350km highway, completing in 2025, improves access from Managua to surf hubs like San Juan del Sur and Popoyo on the Emerald Coast. More importantly, the Costanera aims to boost Nicaragua’s economy through tourism.
Nicaraguan coastline, an emerging place to travel for surfing and beaches.
Learn to surf at local camps, stay in rainforest treehouses, and visit Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor to see nesting turtles. Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, now more accessible, is a naturally beautiful and economically impactful place to travel.
19. Isle of Man: Celtic Heritage and Biosphere Reserve
The Isle of Man, between the UK and Ireland, is self-governing, not part of the Commonwealth. Ruled by the Tynwald, the world’s oldest continuous parliament, it preserves its distinct character and sustainable tourism.
Rich in history with sites like Cashtal yn Ard and Castle Rushen, the Isle of Man is forward-thinking. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2016, it’s committed to environmental and cultural preservation. The new Manx Birdlife Point of Ayre National Reserve opened in 2024. 2025 marks Okell’s Brewery’s 175th anniversary, with tasting tours.
Isle of Man coastal path, a place to travel for walking and island scenery.
Explore on foot to appreciate the Isle of Man’s unique blend of English, Irish, and Scottish landscapes. Hike to Snaefell mountain for panoramic views. The Isle of Man, a UNESCO Biosphere, is a unique and historically rich place to travel.
20. Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan: Himalayan Heights and Hospitality
Pakistan, populous yet surprising, hopes responsible tourism initiatives will attract eco-conscious visitors to its northern regions, home to five of the world’s highest peaks, including K2. Salam Pakistan, launched in 2023, simplifies e-visas and bookings.
Gilgit-Baltistan, “heaven’s gate,” offers valleys, lakes, and waterfalls. Hunza Valley features blossoms and orchards. Deosai plains and Shangri-La-esque lakes dot the landscape. The Khunjerab Pass to China will be year-round in 2025.
Himalayan mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, a place to travel for adventure and mountain scenery.
Pakistan, beyond mountains, offers cultural richness and hospitality. Gilgit-Baltistan, increasingly accessible, is an adventurous and scenically stunning place to travel.
21. Azores: Atlantic Marine Sanctuary
The Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic, are known for hot springs, lakes, and lava tubes. Already boasting black-sand beaches and whale watching, the Azores now have Europe’s largest protected marine sanctuary, approved in October 2024.
The 287,000 sq km Marine Protected Area safeguards deep-sea corals, sharks, and 28 whale and dolphin species. This benefits sustainable marine research and whale watching. Furnas Valley features volcanoes and hot springs. Terra Nostra Park is a beautiful botanical garden. Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, a green retreat, offers enhanced thermal pools in 2025. Sample cozido das Furnas stew cooked underground and volcanic tea at Chalet da Tia Mercês, or visit Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe’s oldest tea plantation.
Azores coastline, a place to travel for marine life and volcanic landscapes.
The Azores, with its new marine sanctuary and volcanic beauty, is a sustainable and naturally stunning place to travel in Europe.
22. Kansas City, Missouri, US: Cultural Renaissance and BBQ Capital
Kansas City, Missouri, is rebranding as a cultural destination in 2025. Promoting its arts scene and BBQ, it’s launching urban revitalization with new museums, districts, and hotels. The Museum of BBQ, the world’s first dedicated to smoked meat, opens at Crown Center in spring 2025.
Berkley Riverfront is developing with dining, shops, and apartments. Kansas City International Airport completed renovations in 2023. KC Streetcar extensions and the re-opened Rock Island Bridge entertainment district add to the city’s appeal.
Kansas City skyline, an emerging place to travel for culture and American BBQ.
Kansas City, with its cultural glow-up and culinary scene, is a surprising and dynamic place to travel in the US.
23. Bolivia: Bicentennial Celebrations and Andean Culture
Bolivia, home to Uyuni salt flats and La Paz, celebrates its 200th anniversary in August 2025 with year-long events. Visit for Oruro Carnival from February 24 to March 5, a UNESCO Heritage folk-dance parade. In Potosí, try bicentennial singani.
Bolivia has South America’s largest Indigenous population. Chuquisaca (Sucre) hosts many Quechua peoples; visit Museo de Arte Indígena. The Aymara people welcome visitors to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. Community-based tourism networks bring opportunities to remote communities like Chalalan Ecolodge in Madidi National Park.
Bolivian landscapes, a place to travel for unique South American culture and bicentennial celebrations.
Bolivia, celebrating its bicentennial and rich Indigenous culture, is a culturally immersive and naturally stunning place to travel in 2025.
24. Botswana: Green Safaris and Wildlife Haven
Botswana, Africa’s green safari leader, focuses on high-income, low-impact ecotourism. As it recovers from the pandemic and welcomes a new government, Botswana’s tourism sector is set to grow. Visa-free entry for 104 countries now makes it more accessible.
Explore Chobe National Park, the “Elephant Capital,” and the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, a wetland haven for cheetahs and rhinos. New openings include the solar-powered Mbamba Camp and Monachira Camp in the Okavango Delta, offering luxury and family-friendly safaris. New Air Botswana routes to Cape Town start in April 2025.
Botswana elephants, a top place to travel for ethical African safaris.
Botswana, with its commitment to green safaris and increased accessibility, is a premier place to travel for wildlife experiences in Africa.
25. Oslo, Norway: Sustainable Cityscape and Nordic Nature
“Is it even a city?” Oslo’s viral ad questions, highlighting its walkability, dining, and access to fjords and landscapes. Oslo, known for modern architecture and sustainability, attracts visitors who value responsible travel.
Visit Oslo Responsibly guidelines and the Green Oslo Guide encourage sustainable tourism. Hotels feature green roofs. Support local businesses like Norwegian Adventure Company for sustainable experiences. Dine at farm-to-table restaurants like Michelin-starred Maaemo. Oslo, one of the world’s most sustainable cities, is a unique and responsible place to travel.
Oslo city architecture, a place to travel for sustainable urban exploration and Nordic nature.
Oslo, blending urban sustainability with natural beauty, invites you to discover its unique charm in 2025.
Source: BBC Travel – The 25 best places to travel in 2025
