20 Traveler-Approved Destinations for 2017

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Joe West / Shutterstock.com

While Hawaii is a perennially popular travel destination, one coastal town in that state has become increasingly lauded among travelers over the past year.

Kihei, located on the coast of the island of Maui, is the No. 1 domestic destination, according to TripAdvisor’s recently announced fifth annual Travelers’ Choice awards for Top Destinations on the Rise.

For these awards, destinations worldwide were chosen primarily based on increases in travelers’ positive ratings of accommodations, restaurants and attractions on TripAdvisor’s site, as well as increases in booking interest.

Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, explains:

“The Travelers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise lists are great options for travelers seeking inspiration for fresh, trending places to book in the new year. These award-winning locations are emerging in popularity among the TripAdvisor community thanks to their highly-rated options for places to eat, play and stay for travelers.”

TripAdvisor cites Kihei’s white-sand beaches and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s visitor center as contributing to the city’s No. 1 ranking in the U.S.

The list of the top 10 domestic destinations are:

  1. Kihei, Hawaii
  2. Park City, Utah
  3. Portland, Maine
  4. Louisville, Kentucky
  5. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  6. Houston
  7. Tucson, Arizona
  8. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
  9. Columbus, Ohio
  10. Jacksonville, Florida

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, ranked No. 1 in the world in this year’s Travelers’ Choice awards for Destinations on the Rise. TripAdvisor cites the resort city’s “laid-back local scene.”

The top 10 international destinations are:

  1. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
  2. Whistler, Canada
  3. Jericoacoara, Brazil
  4. Kihei, Hawaii
  5. Baku, Azerbaijan
  6. El Nido, Philippines
  7. Eilat, Israel
  8. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
  9. Tbilisi, Georgia
  10. Jodhpur, India

Before you next travel, be sure to check out:

Where would you most like to travel in 2017? Let us know why by commenting below or over on our Facebook page.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.