Tripadvisor has announced its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations for 2026, recognising the places most loved by travellers worldwide. The rankings are based on millions of reviews and ratings shared by travellers across the platform, reflecting trusted experiences in accommodation, dining and attractions.

The Best of the Best Destinations cover multiple travel categories, including top global destinations, trending places, cultural hubs, food destinations, honeymoon getaways and solo travel favourites. The awards highlight locations that continue to inspire travellers through memorable experiences, local character and strong hospitality offerings.

Bali has been named the world’s top destination for 2026, earning widespread praise for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches and warm hospitality. Travellers highlighted experiences such as scenic mountain adventures and marine excursions that showcase the island’s natural beauty. Other destinations ranking among the world’s top favourites include London, Dubai, Hanoi, Paris, Rome, Marrakech, Bangkok and Crete, reflecting strong interest in cities that combine culture, history and leisure.

In the United States, New York City retained its position as the most popular destination, reinforcing its status as a global centre for food, culture, entertainment and the arts. Las Vegas, Oahu, Nashville, New Orleans, Chicago, Charleston, Key West, Washington DC and Boston also featured prominently, alongside coastal and leisure-focused destinations.

Madeira, Portugal emerged as the world’s top trending destination for 2026, gaining attention for its dramatic landscapes, relaxed pace and family-friendly appeal. The island’s mix of outdoor adventure and natural attractions has drawn travellers seeking quieter escapes. Tbilisi in Georgia followed closely, driven by its growing cultural scene and distinctive architecture. Other trending destinations included cities across Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, highlighting shifting traveller preferences.

Solo travel continued to gain momentum, with Dublin ranked as the world’s leading solo travel destination. The city stood out for its walkability, historic landmarks, welcoming atmosphere and diverse food scene. Berlin, London, Santiago, Edinburgh, New York City, Hanoi, Madrid, Bali and Cape Town Central also featured among the top choices for independent travellers.

London claimed the top spot as the world’s leading food destination for 2026, recognised for its diverse culinary landscape ranging from fine dining to street food. Dubai made a strong debut, ranking second globally with its blend of traditional flavours and modern cuisine. In the United States, New York City led the food destination rankings, followed by Las Vegas, Maui, Orlando and Miami.

In the culture category, Singapore rose to the top, celebrated for its rich blend of heritage, modern attractions and vibrant arts scene. London and Krakow followed, with travellers appreciating their historic charm, museums and creative energy. Paris, Rome, Edinburgh, Hanoi and Kyoto also ranked highly for cultural experiences.

For honeymoon travel, Bali once again led the list of the world’s most romantic destinations. Mauritius, the Maldives, St Lucia, Galle, Hue, Napa, Positano, Watamu and Antigua were also recognised for offering intimate settings and memorable experiences for couples.

Tripadvisor said the rankings reflect the quality and quantity of traveller reviews collected globally, showcasing destinations that consistently deliver meaningful and enjoyable travel experiences across categories.

Yas Island Abu Dhabi has stepped up its engagement with Indian travellers through the #MyYasVibes campaign, an immersive, creator-led initiative developed in partnership with travel-tech brand Holiday Tribe. The campaign aims to highlight how one destination can offer multiple ways to travel, unwind, and explore, depending on each traveller’s interests and pace.

As part of the campaign, 12 macro influencers from India travelled to Yas Island to experience its world-class attractions. Their journeys covered Ferrari World™ Yas Island, Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, capturing a mix of adventure, entertainment, leisure, and family-friendly experiences through authentic travel narratives shared across digital platforms.

The collaboration brought together Yas Island’s award-winning theme parks, diverse dining options, and world-class hotels with Holiday Tribe’s focus on customised leisure travel. From record-breaking rides and high-adrenaline coasters at Ferrari World™ to immersive storytelling at Warner Bros. World™ and marine encounters at SeaWorld® Yas Island, the creators showcased the destination’s broad appeal. Yas Waterworld, with over 60 rides and attractions, added a splash-filled dimension to the experience.

Commenting on the initiative, Liam Findlay, CEO, Miral Destinations, said, “India remains one of our most important source markets. Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase Yas Island as a destination that truly offers something for every traveller, from award-winning theme parks and attractions to waterfront leisure, dining, and family-friendly experiences.”

Chirag Goyal, Founder, Holiday Tribe, added, “Yas Island naturally lends itself to personalised travel experiences. Our collaboration focused on bringing different facets of the destination to life through varied travel perspectives, allowing travellers to see how the island can be explored in ways that feel personal, meaningful, and memorable.”

Holiday Tribe continues to curate tailored travel options for Yas Island, offering flexible combinations of theme park access, accommodation, and add-ons. Through the #MyYasVibes campaign, Yas Island reinforces its position as a must-visit leisure destination for Indian travellers looking for variety, flexibility, and memorable experiences, all in one place.

Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to position itself among the world’s leading tourism and cultural destinations, backed by steady growth in visitor arrivals, rising hotel revenues, and a strong pipeline of long-term investments. These developments reflect the emirate’s broader strategy to build a diversified, tourism-led economy.

Hotel establishments across Abu Dhabi recorded 4.4 million guests during the first nine months of the year, marking a notable increase compared to the same period earlier. Alongside higher footfall, hotel revenues saw a sharp rise to Dh5.85 billion, driven by improved room rates, stronger occupancy levels, and a growing mix of international visitors.

This performance aligns with the emirate’s long-term tourism strategy, which aims to significantly increase annual visitor numbers, expand hotel capacity to around 50,000 rooms, create large-scale employment opportunities, and raise tourism’s contribution to the overall economy. Industry leaders and officials point to a coordinated effort between government-backed developers, private tourism firms, and cultural institutions as a key driver behind this momentum.

Abu Dhabi offers a diverse mix of attractions spanning museums, archaeological sites, heritage forts, desert and coastal destinations, sports venues, and globally recognised entertainment brands. Several locations are listed on Unesco’s World Heritage register, while sustained investment in museums and cultural institutions has helped position the city as a year-round cultural destination.

The emirate has also strengthened its standing as a regional hub for large-scale international events. Its annual calendar features major sporting, cultural, and business events, drawing global visitors and supporting both leisure and corporate travel segments.

A major contributor to Abu Dhabi’s tourism expansion has been Miral, the state-backed developer behind several flagship leisure and entertainment destinations. Founded in 2011 and chaired by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral has built a development portfolio valued at over Dh13 billion across Yas Island and other parts of the emirate. The company oversees the full lifecycle of tourism assets, from design and construction to operations and management, and has supported the creation of around 3,000 jobs across the sector. Its operations span Miral Destinations, Miral Experiences, and Yas Asset Management.

Private tourism operators have also expanded alongside government-led developments, supported by funding programmes and strategic partnerships. Among them is Premier Travel & Tourism, founded by Emirati entrepreneur Saud Mohammed Sultan Al Darmaki. The company operates across heritage, business, and incentive travel segments, with sustainable tourism positioned as a core focus. Backed by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the company reflects the growing role of Emirati-led enterprises in the tourism ecosystem.

Officials note that rising visitor volumes and strong hotel revenues reinforce tourism’s role as a key non-oil growth engine for Abu Dhabi. With continued investment in entertainment projects, museum districts, heritage tourism initiatives, and business event infrastructure, the emirate is betting on sustained tourism growth to deliver higher-value visitor flows and deeper economic impact in the years ahead.