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Journalism of Courage
Top 10 trending global destinations in 2025: Summer 2025 is here, and travellers globally are keen to explore new destinations!
As global tourism rebounds – reaching 99 per cent of pre-pandemic levels – many destinations have now surpassed their 2019 figures, with around 1.4 billion international tourists recorded worldwide last year.
Leading the travel surge is the Asia-Pacific region, which dominates the charts with eight of the world’s top 15 trending summer destinations, according to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report.
Japan takes the spotlight this year, with Tokyo rising to the #1 spot, up from second last year, and Osaka following closely at #2. The spike in tourism is largely attributed to Japan’s long-term currency depreciation, making it a more affordable destination for international travellers this summer.
Vietnam’s beachside city Nha Trang has made a surprise debut at #11, drawing attention for its coastal charm and buzzing nightlife. Meanwhile, Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, famed for the Northern Lights, has emerged at #12 as an unexpected favourite.
The MEI used flight booking data from Official Airline Guide (OAG) through March for travel between June and September, comparing each destination’s current share to its 2024 levels to highlight notable shifts in travel preferences.
The top ten highest-trending destinations, or those with the greatest relative growth in travel, are listed below.
| Rank | Destination | Country | Region |
| 1 | Tokyo | Japan | Asia |
| 2 | Osaka | Japan | Asia |
| 3 | Paris | France | Europe |
| 4 | Shanghai | China | Asia |
| 5 | Palma de Mallorca | Spain | Europe |
| 6 | Seoul | South Korea | Asia |
| 7 | Beijing | China | Asia |
| 8 | Madrid | Spain | Europe |
| 9 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America |
| 10 | Singapore | Singapore | Asia |
Source: Mastercard Economics Institute
The Chinese mainland retained its status as the largest outbound travel market worldwide, with its tourists increasingly seeking value-oriented and visa-accessible destinations such as Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Last year, India recorded the highest number of outbound travellers in its history, exploring diverse destinations. Abu Dhabi, Hanoi, and Bali are among the most popular destinations due to new direct flight options and a rapidly expanding middle class eager to travel, the report said.
