TripAdvisor has named the top trending travel destination of the year – and you may not even have heard of it! Ishigaki, a small island off the coast of Japan with a population of 50,000, has claimed the top spot on the "Destinations on the Rise" list, based on feedback and reviews by TripAdvisor users.
The picturesque island has seen a significant rise in visitor numbers over the past few years, and is popular for its sandy beaches and incredible diving. Travellers who have reviewed Ishigaki on TripAdvisor recommend taking a glass-bottomed boat ride to look at the coral reefs and tropical fish from above.
MORE: Lonely Planet names the top travel destinations for 2018
© Photo: iStockIshigaki, Japan has been named the top trending destination in the world
Ishigaki is located in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, a region that has also seen a surge in popularity with tourists, and has been tipped as the new Bali or Hawaii. The island topped the list based on an algorithm created by TripAdvisor to measure the year-on-year increase in positive traveller feedback around accommodation, restaurants and attractions, plus increased booking interest.
Other destinations to make the top ten include Kapaa, a Hawaiian town nestled at the base of Nounou Mountain, and Nairobi, Africa, which TripAdvisor describes as a "fascinating introduction to both wildlife and nightlife". The Polish city of Gdansk was the most popular European destination, with the travel experts noting that the city has "played major roles in history", with the Old Town and 14th-century Town Hall among the highlights.
© Photo: iStockNairobi has also been included in the top ten
GALLERY: 10 up-and-coming travel destinations to visit in 2018
Also appearing in the top ten are San Jose in Costa Rica and Riga in Latvia, where the Art Nouveau centre has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rovinj in Croatia, Nerja in Spain and Casablanca, Morocco are other top destinations that are said to be on the rise in 2018. How many have you visited?
