12 destinations that have grown in popularity over the last 25 years

With its stunning coastline, captivating beaches and fascinating history, it was only a matter of time before Croatia emerged as a favourite destination amongst travellers. From 1998 to 2019, the number of tourists visiting annually increased from 25.5 to 60 million, while overnight stays by tourists have more than doubled since 2000. Many visitors come for the beaches, with the famously scenic Zlatni Rat in Brač perhaps heading the list. However, the UNESCO-protected walled city of Dubrovnik is another key draw (and became particularly popular after Game of Thrones was released). Then there are the country's eight national parks, with the lakes and waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, in particular, never failing to enchant.

Visitor numbers to Mexico jumped by 11.96 million between 1995 and 2019, showing the increasing popularity of Mexico as a tourist destination over the past few decades. Cancun is definitely one of the country’s most popular spots and its party circuit is a hit with many visitors but it also has plenty of luxury resorts and some truly stunning beaches. Playa Chac Mool is one of the best. The Riviera Maya is another excellent, and less-visited, beach option. Occupying a stretch of Caribbean coastline in Yucatán, its beaches include Tulum, which is noted for its crystalline waters, jaw-dropping sunsets and laid-back cabanas. Closer to the California border, Baja is superb for whale-watching trips. Grey whales, humpback and even blue are just some of the massive cetaceans regularly sighted here. On-shore, Baja is also a great location for wine lovers, thanks to its vineyards and wineries. History enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in the country. As well as the distinctive pyramids (San Juan Teotihuacan includes the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun), Mayan ruins stipple the country. Chichen Itza, easily accessible from Cancun, is one of the most famous.

Budget-friendly Portugal, with its award-winning beaches, world-class surfing and excellent golfing, needs no introduction for many. And yet, it's another place that has seen tourist visits increase dramatically (by almost 6 million between 1998 and 2019). City breaks to the capital, Lisbon, feature high on many bucket lists – and no wonder! With its cobbled alleyways, cathedrals, hilltop castles and galleries, this historic city is packed with charm and things to do. Its burgeoning craft beer scene and, no doubt, the appeal of a classic pastel de nata can't hurt either! Romantic Porto is another Portuguese city worthy of a visit, , with its picturesque old town, stunning Douro River, and world-famous Port wine cellars. Beyond the cities, the Algarve region is a major draw for beach lovers, with its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and turquoise waters. Moreover, the Azores archipelago, a remote volcanic chain in the middle of the Atlantic, offers stunning natural beauty and outdoor activities, including whale-watching, hiking, and hot springs.

It’s easy to see why Dubai is on so many traveller’s bucket lists. Oozing glitz and glamour, the city is synonymous with luxury and exudes a sense of extravagance that is unmatched. From its high-end restaurants to its lavish shopping malls, this is where you come to indulge. But this wasn’t always the case, this city has seen an impressive development in its skyline and cultural attractions over the past 25 years. As well as the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai also boasts the world's first and only seven-star hotel, the Burj Al-Arab, which opened in 1999. For sunseekers, there’s also the Palm Islands, an artificial archipelago that includes an island shaped like a palm tree. The Dubai Frame is another world-first attraction. At 150 metres tall, the glass walkway that connects its two towers provides impressive views of the city's equally impressive skyline. Skydiving, desert glamping, dune bashing and sandboarding are just some of the other many attractions that keep visitors coming. And with visitor numbers rising from just under 2.2 million in 1998 to over 14 million in 2022, it’s clear that Dubai’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Singapore has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 25 years, emerging as one of the world's most exciting destinations. The city's seamless blend of old and new is perfectly encapsulated by Raffles Hotel, which reopened in 2019 following a refurbishment that returned it to its the glamour and indulgence of its 1920s heyday. As well as preserving its heritage, the city has also produced some of the most iconic modern structures,  including the Singapore Flyer (built in 2008), the ArtScience Museum (2011) and Jewel Changi Airport (2019), which has become a destination in its own right. From art installations to butterfly gardens, there's never a dull moment in this bustling airport. Once in the city, the possibilities for adventure and entertainment are endless. From breathtaking views atop the Singapore Flyer to tranquil stroll through the 100+ hectares of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore truly is a city that has something for everyone. And with visitor numbers more than tripling between 1998 and 2019, we only expect its popularity to rise.

Long a favourite holiday destination for visitors from Australia, Bali's wider international appeal is apparent in the fact that foreign tourist arrivals to the island more than tripled between 2008 and 2022. It's the beach lifestyle that's the chief lure – and those white sand beaches are the setting for everything from energetic all-night parties to sunrise yoga sessions. Kuta and Seminyak are two of the top destinations for anyone after a lively and yet still luxurious beach club or resort.  If you're looking to unwind, Bali's spa and wellness facilities are unparalleled. Ayana Resort's Spa on the Rocks, for example,  nestled at the base of a towering limestone cliff, offers an unforgettable experience. For those seeking adventure, Bali offers surfing, diving, and paragliding, as well as more unique options like sea-walking trips and hot spring baths at the end of sunrise hikes up volcanoes. Then, of course, there's the rich cultural heritage that's evident in the palaces and temples, including the spectacular Lempuyang, the traditional puppet shows and the beguiling local markets.

Although often compared to Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia is a thriving Spanish destination in its own right. Massive investment in the form of the City of Arts and Sciences, which was inaugurated in 1998, has elevated Valencia's status and made it one of Spain’s most loved cultural gems. In 2019, the number of overnight stays in Valencia exceeded 5 million for the first time - and it's the technological wonders of the City of Arts and Sciences that draws many of the visitors. An IMAX cinema, a planetarium, an interactive science museum designed to look like a whale's skeleton, an open-air oceanographic aquarium, and an opera house are just some of its attractions. However, a closer look at Valencia reveals its picturesque old town, its cathedral and its wealth of historic buildings, such as the 15th-century Silk Exchange, are also enticing visitors. Meanwhile, modern-day Valencia embraces its cultural heritage with gusto. A wealth of festivals, like Fiesta de San José, appeal to visitors as much as locals, while traditional foods like paella keep everyone well-fuelled.

‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’ has never lacked either mystique or magnetism. Whether it's the endless summer days or the awe-inspiring Northern Lights that play out in its winter skies, Norway always has something to offer. And it seems visitors agree: the country recorded 5.88 million tourists in 2019, an increase of 2.62 million since 1998. In particular, fjord cruises, operating throughout the year, have risen in popularity. As well as offering an up-close-and-personal view of some of the country's impressive fjords and glaciers, many of the cruises also stop at picturesque fishing villages and larger destinations like Bergen. Frequently referred to as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, Bergen's historic and eye-catching waterfront now houses trendy boutiques and some excellent restaurants.. Away from the cruise ships, Norway's national parks are a must for nature enthusiasts. Jotunheimen National Park, with its dozens of glaciers and towering mountains, offers spectacular summer hiking. More remote still, Svalbard – still home to a population of polar bears – offers summer and winter activities for adventurers. And let’s not forget Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. With its world-renowned foodie scene, unique architecture and fascinating museums, it’s a must on any trip to Norway.

Iceland's relative remoteness meant that tourist numbers stayed low for many years. In fact, in 1998, only 255,000 tourists visited the country. Thanks to the rise of budget airlines and more direct flight routes to Reykjavik, visiting Iceland has become much easier and more affordable in recent years. As a result, tourism in Iceland has boomed, with a whopping 2.2 million tourists flocking to the country in 2019. While Reykjavik has plenty of bars and restaurants, and a thriving nightlife, it's Iceland's natural charms that are the biggest appeal. Highlights include the Golden Circle, which is made up of Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the Gullfoss waterfall. Perhaps surprisingly, Thingvellir is also an excellent snorkelling spot, thanks to Silfra, a freshwater fissure. The famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is another of Iceland's watery wonders. So, too, is the thunderous Dettifoss Waterfall in the north of the country.

This Mediterranean coastal city has really made its mark in the tourism world over the last couple of decades. The numbers of foreign guests staying in the city's hotels jumped from 708,800 in 2014 to 1,078,000 just seven years later. Meanwhile, a number of high-end hotels, including Soho House and Nobu, have opened there. Tel Aviv's status as 2019 Eurovision hosts and its ongoing reputation as a foodie hotspot have both further boosted its appeal. Despite all this growth, the beaches and the Bauhaus buildings from the 1930s that gave the place its ‘White City’ nickname are as attractive as ever. Popular beaches with great facilities include Banana, Frishman and Gordon. However, a short walk south from the downtown area takes the visitor to Jaffa, with its wonderful Ottoman architecture and lively town centre. To enjoy some of Tel Aviv's finest food, it's hard to do better than a visit to the Yemenite Quarter, with its Middle Eastern cafes and nearby produce market. Culturally, the Museum of Art, the Eretz Israel Museum and the smaller galleries and museums in the Neve Tzedek Quarter all deliver.

The many and varied charms of Morocco are not the relatively well-kept secret they were back in the 1990s. In 1998, the country saw 3.27 million visitors but, by 2019, this figure had reached 13.11 million. Newer attractions, such as the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which opened in Marrakech in 2017, undoubtedly entice some visitors. However, it's still the Atlas Mountains, the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, the Roman ruins, the clay-built Casbahs and, of course, the Saharan sands that are the siren call for most. For big sand dunes, sunset camel treks overnight camping under a vast starry sky, Erg Chebbi, east of the High Atlas Mountains, is a must-see. Back in the High Atlas region, Ait Ben Haddou is a fairytale-like fortified village. It's also a Hollywood favourite and has featured in various movies, including Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy. For coastal charm, Essaouira, once a hippie hang-out and now an important artistic centre, is a great choice. It also offers excellent surfing and relaxed beachside walks. As for Roman ruins, the hilltop site of Volubilis tops the list.

Thailand has seen a significant increase in popularity as a travel destination over the past few decades, with visitor numbers rising by more than 30 million between 1998 and 2019. The country's exceptional food, incredible history and alluring beaches, have all played a part in attracting visitors from around the world. Krabi province – and Railay beach, in particular – is a popular destination of choice for its pristine white sands, turquoise seas and lush, green vegetation. Koh Phi Phi is another top spot, known for its excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. For those seeking cultural experiences, Bangkok's Grand Palace is a must-see attraction, offering a glimpse into the country's rich history, while Wat Arun provides splendid sunset views. Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, is also a must-visit destination, known for its beautiful mountains and historical temples. Don't miss the night markets, where vendors sell local crafts, souvenirs, and delicious street food.