Best Tourist Destinations in the World

There are thousands of remarkable tourist destinations in the world. If you are planning your next vacation but are unsure where you should head to, this article is for you. Find out what are some of the best tourist destinations in the world.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Eiffel Tower, also known as the Iron Lady, is a famous world landmark. This architectural structure stands at 324m. This monument consists of 18,000 iron parts held together by 2.5 million rivets. This tower features movies, music videos, postcards, etc. It is worth noting that the Eiffel Tower is among the most photographed structures globally. When touring Paris be sure to also visit the Arc de Triomphe, Jardin des Tuileries, Le Marais, and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, among other attractions in Paris.

Giza Pyramid Complex, Egypt

If you love visiting ancient sites, the pyramids of Giza should be on top of your list. It was built over 4500 years ago, and for over 1000 years, tourists have been visiting this structure. Here you will find the Sphinx. Riding camels during sunset is a must-do activity when touring these pyramids. You can also have a dinner cruise on the Nile River or plan to go for a private half-day local market tour.

Machu Picchu, Peru

The Inca City of Machu Picchu is a must-see destination when touring Peru. Machu Picchu remains the most dramatic setting of a ruined city. This city features a lush backdrop of steep and cloud-shrouded mountains. You can view the river far below and mountains covered with jungle. While in Peru, it will also be worth visiting The Inca Trail, Cusco’s Architectural Treasures, and Colca Canyon, among other attractions.

The Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum is among the major attractions in Rome. It was the largest structure left by Roman antiquity. The structure’s construction started in AD 72 by the Vespasian, and it was enlarged by adding the fourth story by his son, Titus, eight years later. The Colosseum was used for festivals, theatrical performances, games, and circuses. The Imperial Court and high officials watched these activities from the lowest level. The second level was for aristocratic Roman families, while the third and fourth levels were for the populace. While touring Rome, you can also visit the Vatican city, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and more attractions.

Statue of Liberty, New York City

The Statue of Liberty, New York’s city symbol of freedom, remains a top sightseeing attraction. This statue was a gift from the French people in 1896. A fun activity to do at the Statue of Liberty is to ride up to her crown. While in New York City, you can also take the chance and visit other sites such as Rockefeller Plaza, Central Park, 5th Avenue, Broadway, among others.

Other famous tourist attractions in the world include the Acropolis- Athens, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal- India, the Petra- Jordan, the Borobudur-Indonesia, and more.

Top 3 Best Ancient Ruins and Archaeological Sites To Visit

Archaeological tourism enjoys immense popularity. Ideally, archeology seeks to explore the human past using material remains. Today, there are so many archaeological sites worth visiting. If you are interested in knowing more about ancient civilizations and the past of humankind, this article shares three of the best archaeological destinations to visit.

Khmer Temples at Angkor Wat

Located in Cambodia, the Khmer temple at Angkor Wat is the most famous archaeological site in Asia. The site that was once the heart of the Khmer empire that existed between the 9th and 15th century. It consists of iconic temples, including Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. Interestingly, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious structure by land area. In 1992, it was officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best time to visit Angkor Wat is during sunset or sunrise when the temples’ silhouette is visible on the moat.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

While there are many pyramids spread across Egypt, the Giza pyramid is the most iconic. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Giza was built as the final resting place for king Khufu sometime in the 26th century BC. The pyramid consists of chambers that serve as palaces, temples, and boat pits. How the pyramids were built remains a mystery. Take a tour of the region and experience the marvel and majesty of the ancient Egyptian world. Make sure to stay until dusk to witness the monument bathed in sandy color.

Teotihuacan

Another great archaeological city worth visiting is Teotihuacan, an incredible ancient Mesoamerican city located in Mexico. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Teotihuacan is the most visited archaeological destination in Mexico. The site is characterized by Mesoamerican pyramids and architecture built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Dubbed the ‘City of Gods’, legend has it that gods assembled here to create the moon and the sun after the first world ended. Its religious symbolism is the reason why the Aztecs revered it.

There you have it, folks, the top 3 best ancient ruins, and archaeological sites to visit. Other worthy mentions include Petra in Jordan, Tikal in Guatemala, Acropolis of Athens in Greece, Chichen Itza in Mexico, and The Great Wall of China in China.

Best Destinations for Safari

If you want a remarkable vacation, then you should consider going for a safari. Ideally, a safari is an overland journey to east or southern Africa. What makes a safari unique is that the destination has Big Five game animals – the lion, rhinoceros, leopard, Cape buffalo, and the elephant. If this sounds like a great idea, here are the top 5 safari destinations.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

There are many safari destinations, but the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is iconic. Listed as a national park by UNESCO, Serengeti is one of the oldest ecosystems in existence. If you want the perfect safari, this destination should be on your wish list. Besides the big five, the expansive plains and grassland of Serengeti boast other wildlife, including giraffes, hyenas, zebras, cheetahs, and the African wild dog.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Bordering the Serengeti, the Maasai Mara National Reserve is another top spot to experience a safari. Here, you can also view the big five and, interestingly, the wildebeest migration, one of the seven wonders of the world. In addition to the wildlife, you can experience the rich Maasai culture in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

One of the must-visit destinations in Africa is the Kruger National Park. Covering an expansive two million hectares, it is home to over 25,000 large game animals, including all the big five animals and the extraordinary Little 5.

The above are the best safari destinations. Other worthy mentions include Amboseli National Park in Kenya, Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Addor Elephant National Park in South Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Responsible Tourism: Environmental Conservation

By definition, responsible tourism is a form of travel that is inspired by the need to reduce negative economic, social and environmental impacts while generating greater economic benefits to the locals. While there are so many ways to be a responsible tourist, environmental conservation is fundamental.

In this article, we have shared some of the ways you can be a responsible tourist.

Mind About the Environment

There’s no doubt that tourism has negative effects on the environment, especially pollution. If you want to be on the green side of tourism, be mindful of the environment.

Avoid Littering

When it comes to environmental conservation, you have to avoid littering at all costs. Many are times tourist destinations are left with plastic and other kinds of litter. Well, it’s the responsibility of the organizations running the destination to provide litter bins, but at the end of the day, not all sites and attractions have these facilities.

Shun Plastics

If you are a responsible tourist, consider using reusables. Avoid plastics. According to the IUCN, plastic waste damages the aesthetic value of tourist destinations. A report according to WWF shows that tourists cause a 40% spike in plastic entering the Mediterranean sea each summer. Instead of plastics, use reusable products such as bamboo straws instead of plastic straws.

How to Stay Safe When Visiting Tourist Destinations

Your safety as a visitor to particular destinations is paramount. This is in light of the fact that locals in many destinations shun tourists. But then, there are ways you can ensure that your safety is safeguarded in such destinations. In this article, find out how to stay safe when visiting tourist destinations.

Do as the Romans Do

They say, when you go to Rome, do as the Romans do. This is a saying applicable to travel. As a responsible tourist, try to learn the culture of the people in the destination you are visiting. Many are times tourists experience resentment by doing what is considered wrong. It could be your eating style or even how you exchange pleasantries.

Follow the Guidelines

Another reason tourists’ safety is compromised is because of not following the laid down guidelines. Make sure to read and understand the rules and regulations attached to the particular destination you are visiting.

Consider Off Peaks

Most locals in the top destinations hate the crowds. If you want a remarkable vacation, consider visiting during the low seasons. Overcrowding is a serious problem that triggers resentment from the locals. Off peaks times also tend to be a lot affordable considering the demands for goods and services are reasonably low.

New York City Expecting Resurgence of Tourism

After a whole year of lockdowns, containment measures, and travel restrictions that came into effect in March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the New York City tourism industry was on its knees. But at least, signs of resuscitation have started being witnessed.

For over 10 years, New York City was a hub for tourists who flocked the theaters, museums, and other attractions in the city. But when the pandemic struck, all the vacationers, day-trippers, business travelers, and honeymooners disappeared.

Fortunately, we are witnessing hotels and restaurants opening up while musicians and comedians are performing in small venues while fully observing the laid down protocols to prevent further infections. The flow of visitors is also picking up, though at a slow pace.

The Impact of the Pandemic

The sudden death of New York City’s tourism has been detrimental, considering the $46 billion industry provided over 280,000 jobs accounting for 7% of all private-sector employment. According to a report by the state comptroller, the pandemic resulted in the loss of over 90,000 jobs and $35 billion in revenue.

But while signs of recovery are evident, experts suggest that the tourism sector in New York City will not recover fully anytime soon. It will reach the pre-pandemic levels sometime in 2025.

Some of the reasons that may slow down the industry’s recovery include the recent spate of violence, for example, subway attacks and random shootings. Homelessness in Manhattan is also a significant scare for tourists.

EU Keen Keen On Plans to Open Up To Tourists

There’s no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic has been detrimental to the tourism industry worldwide; the EU is no exception. But the good thing is that there is light at the end of the corner thanks to containment measures, and notably, the vaccines.

In the latest news, the European Union plans to open up borders to allow foreign tourists from June 2021. This is good news for any holidaymakers wishing to spend their summers in the EU destinations. The plans for reopening will be a huge boost to the stricken tourism industry.

At the moment, visitors from seven non-EU countries only are allowed to enter the EU for non-essential travel as long as they show a negative Coronavirus test and are ready to quarantine first. There are plans for a digital certificate issued to those who have been vaccinated against the novel Coronavirus, those with a negative test, or recently recovered patients.

In the new plans, set for debate and approval by the 27 member states of the EU, foreign travelers will need to be fully vaccinated to be allowed in the region.