Guess which destination people find the best alternative to Europe? UAE Tops the charts…

 A brand new research by Heepsy analyzed locations exterior Europe to find the best options to overcrowded vacationer hotspots. European locations are experiencing big overtourism, with cities like Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam implementing customer caps and going through resident protests towards mass tourism.

“The data clearly shows travellers have excellent alternatives to Europe’s overtourism crisis,” says Tabi Vicuña, Founder of Heepsy. “Many travellers don’t realize how well-prepared these destinations are for tourism, from high safety levels and extensive hotel networks to thousands of activities. The temperature data also shows these places offer year-round comfort. What really validates these findings is the social media activity – millions of posts suggest users are having experiences worth sharing with the world.”

The UAE has a definite tradition of its personal, but additionally it is a melting pot of different cultures and people from throughout the globe. Museums, historic and spiritual websites, festivals, and so forth. are a repository of the wealthy heritage of the emirates.

New UAE visa guidelines to promote tourism

UAE’s infrastructure, economic system, international connectivity, and superior amenities are just some of its manifold advantages that draw people from throughout the world. As a end result, there are various forms of visas to select from. The a number of entry 5-year tourist visa permits vacationers to enter the UAE a number of instances on self-sponsorship and stay in the nation for 90 days on every go to, and could be prolonged for additional 90 days. This sort of vacationer visa could be issued for all nationalities.

UAE has additionally part of the GCC Grand Tours Visa, also referred to as the GCC Unified Visa, this new visa initiative provides non-nationals the choice to go to one or all six Gulf nations utilizing one visa.

Domestic customer spend can be projected to attain a report excessive at AED 60BN – 47% above 2019, highlighting the continued power of the native journey market.

Dubai stays the ever-popular Emirate

Dubai attracted 8.68 million worldwide vacationers throughout the first 5 months of 2025, marking a 7 % improve in contrast to the identical interval in 2024, which recorded 8.12 million guests.

According to the Tourism Performance Report January – May 2025, launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the metropolis welcomed 1.53 million worldwide guests in May alone. This progress builds on the 18.72 million people who visited in 2024, the second consecutive yr of record-setting progress for the metropolis.

Here’s a have a look at the high 10 alternative locations exterior Europe:

Each location acquired a rating from 0-100, with any destination scoring beneath 60 on security mechanically penalized to guarantee traveler safety.

The United Arab Emirates ranks as the best non-European destination for vacationers. The Emirates delivers distinctive safety ranges and maintains a large lodging infrastructure with 19,700 accommodations. The 33°C local weather gives year-round consolation whereas the destination options 8,851 sights starting from Dubai’s skyscrapers to Abu Dhabi’s cultural websites. Travelers clearly love sharing their UAE experiences, producing 18.2 million Instagram hashtags that spotlight all the pieces from luxurious purchasing to desert adventures.

 Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that international visitor spend in the United Arab Emirates is about to attain a report AED 228.5BN in 2025, 37% above the earlier peak of 2019. The international tourism physique’s annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) exhibits that Travel & Tourism in the UAE is about for an additional report yr in 2025, with the sector forecast to contribute AED 267.5BN to the nationwide economic system, accounting for nearly 13% of GDP.

Qatar secures second place, sustaining excessive security ranges that match the UAE requirements. The nation presents virtually 700 completely different actions, from world-class museums to desert adventures in 37°C temperature, fairly tolerable given the desert surroundings. Qatar has certainly one of the highest social media footprints with 35.9 million Instagram posts, suggesting distinctive customer satisfaction.

Taiwan takes the third place amongst the high options to Europe. The island nation demonstrates glorious security requirements and operates 9,900 lodging choices throughout its various areas. Most remarkably, Taiwan generates 38.4 million Instagram posts – the absolute peak amongst all locations – suggesting guests find experiences like evening markets, sizzling springs, and mountain temples extremely shareable. The 29°C climate additionally creates excellent circumstances for exploring over 500 actions that the island presents.

Macao is available in fourth place. This Special Administrative Region has sturdy safety ranges and presents 67 rigorously curated experiences throughout its small territory, specializing in on line casino leisure, Portuguese heritage, and culinary fusion. With 88 lodging amenities and 1.4 million social media mentions, Macao’s 27°C temperatures create excellent circumstances for concentrated luxurious experiences.

Oman captures fifth place as the third consultant from the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultanate exhibits strong security ranges. Oman registers 1,400 accommodations and 1,314 various sights, together with desert expeditions, mountain adventures, and coastal experiences. Oman’s 19.8 million Instagram shares replicate rising worldwide recognition as vacationers uncover this alternative, all whereas having fun with constant 30°C climate.

Hong Kong ranks sixth, combining city aesthetics with Asian authenticity in a compact package deal. The metropolis presents 628 lodging decisions alongside 489 distinctive experiences from dim sum excursions to Victoria Peak viewpoints. With 29°C climate, Hong Kong simply competes with European locations whereas sustaining strong security requirements. The metropolis’s 785,000 Instagram posts additionally showcase its enchantment as a concentrated city journey.

Japan takes seventh place. The nation sustains excessive security requirements and has the largest lodging community at 50,500 accommodations – greater than double China’s capability. With 8,657 actions spanning temple visits, cherry blossoms, and technological marvels, Japan enjoys 26°C climate year-round. The nation additionally options in 3.8 million Instagram posts, indicating regular worldwide curiosity.

China ranks eighth amongst European options. The nation has 17,500 hospitality institutions and the highest attraction depend at 10,000 actions, together with the Great Wall, fashionable cities, and pure wonders. With excessive security metrics and nice 25°C temperatures – the coolest amongst high locations – China seems in 1.7 million social media hashtags. This represents a notable determine contemplating the nation’s desire for native apps, suggesting extremely memorable experiences value sharing internationally.

Singapore claims ninth place, sustaining glorious security requirements and offering 544 lodging choices. The city-state presents up to 900 experiences from Gardens by the Bay to avenue meals markets, all concentrated in a single accessible location. Singapore’s 26°C local weather matches Japan’s consolation ranges, whereas its 2.3 million Instagram mentions exhibit constant customer satisfaction.

Bahrain completes the high ten as one more Gulf destination. The island kingdom operates 297 lodging amenities and averages 33°C. Bahrain presents greater than 100 actions targeted on pearl diving heritage, fashionable artwork, and Formula 1 racing. Most remarkably, Bahrain generates 32.1 million Instagram hashtags, suggesting that the nation boasts quite a few shareable sights regardless of its compact measurement.