Travel

20 Destinations Due for a Huge Tourism Spike in 2020, According to Airbnb

The surprise winner? A humble Midwestern metropolis.

By Tanner Garrity / November 2, 2019 4:00 am

Airbnb recently compared bookings for 2020 with bookings made for 2019 at the same time last year, and managed to identify 20 delightfully random destinations across the globe due for a huge influx of visitors. The United States placed two surprising cities, including the number-one overall (which has seen an insane 729% increase), while other locales include far-flung South Pacific islands and towns in the foothills of British Columbia. Click through to catch all 20.

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

20. Maastricht, Netherlands
The skinny: 55% increase in bookings; hosting global art fair TEFAF next year
Choicest digs: Atmospheric Farmhouse

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

19. Malindi, Kenya
The skinny: 88% increase; port town with unique access to diving spots
Choicest digs: Pool View Villa

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

18. Kerala, India
The skinny: 95% increase; calm, coastal region with sanctuaries for elephants, monkeys and tigers
Choicest digs: Riverloft Kabani

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

17. Tokyo, Japan
The skinny: 103% increase; hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics
Choicest digs: Tasu Toco

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

16. Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
The skinny: 108% increase; French Alpine village near Chamonix
Choicest digs: Traditional Mountain Chalet

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

15. Ubatuba, Brazil
The skinny: 108% increase; São Paulo’s surfing stronghold, with rainforest hiking trails nearby
Choicest digs: Boutique Beachfront Loft

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

14. Courtenay, British Columbia
The skinny: 114% increase; eco-friendly base camp for adventures on Vancouver Island
Choicest digs: Riverfront Farm Tiny Home

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

13. Aberdeen, Scotland
The skinny: 119% increase; northeastern city along the coast, one of Britain’s most “livable” cities
Choicest digs: Red Door Apartment

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

12. Cape Canaveral, Florida
The skinny: 136% increase; NASA launches its Mars 2020 Exploration program next June
Choicest digs: Tradewind Cottages

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

11. Cali, Colombia
The skinny: 137% increase; only Colombian city along the Pacific, known as the “salsa capital”
Choicest digs: Grey Flat

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

10. Vanuatu
The skinny: 140% increase; South Pacific archipelago nation with 80 islands, outdoor adventures
Choicest digs: The Bunker

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

9. Guadalajara, Mexico
The skinny: 158% increase; Mexico’s second biggest city, hosts a film festival and is the home of mariachi
Choicest digs: Casa Morelos

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

8. Luxembourg
The skinny: 167% increase; the entire City of Luxembourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a ton of underrated wineries
Choicest digs: Luxembourg City Studio

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

7. Eugene, Oregon
The skinny: 213% increase; Going carbon neutral next year, hosting national qualifiers for track and field
Choicest digs: Urban Whiteaker Cottage

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

6. Xi’an, China
The skinny: 255% increase; home of China’s famous clay soldiers, launching a nighttime tour of the city next year
Choicest digs: Ant Life Apartment

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

5. Romania
The skinny: 298% increase; the southeastern Balkan nation has managed to protect its virgin Transylvanian forests
Choicest digs: Transylvania Tree House

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

4. Sunbury, Victoria, Australia
The skinny: 356% increase; suburb north of Melbourne with wineries, Melbourne’s hosting the ICC T20 next year (a cricket championship)
Choicest digs: Weekend Cottage

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

3. Buriram, Thailand
The skinny: 383% increase; province with Khmer Empire relics, hosting Grand Prix motorcycle racing next year
Choicest digs: Private Townhouse

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

2. Bilbao, Spain
The skinny: 402% increase; won European City of the Year in 2018, one of 12 host cities for 2020 European Cup
Choicest digs: River View Studio

PHOTO: (Credit: Adam Planas)

1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The skinny: 729% increase; hosting the 2020 DNC, bike-happy, home to one of America’s most beautiful art museums (designed by Santiago Calatrava)
Choicest digs: Charming Central Apartment