On Thursday night, American Express Travel unveiled their top trending destinations for 2020, a line-up they put together by looking at where card members have been traveling to more this year. And the top ten trending destinations for next year are full of surprises and the resurgence of a few old favorites.
The list was presented by tennis champion, Venus Williams and Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel at a glitzy dinner in The Greenwich Hotel, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property in Tribeca.
It seems there was a huge surge of travelers flying for fine culinary experiences this year. According to American Express, card member's have been traveling to Japan's food city, Osaka, 68% more than they were last year. The city is so obsessed with food that one museum is entirely dedicated to… ramen. Suntory was founded here, Cup Noodles was invented here, and kaiten sushi (conveyor belt sushi) originated here.
Related: The Ultimate Foodie Gift Guide
The rest of the 10 trending destinations go the world over. In the U.S., Montana has seen a 58% increase in card member travel, while Kaua'i in Hawaii was up 39% since last year.
In Europe, card members have been flocking to the crisp air of the Italian Alps (up 44%). Don't sleep on apres-ski overlooking Mont Blanc's glaciers here. With new hotels popping up left and right in the Cote d'Azur this year, the ever-popular French Riviera saw an even bigger resurgence, up 15% since last year, home to the legendary Cap Estel, also an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property. And further afield, sun seekers are heading to Australia’s Whitsundays and the Caribbean's Grand Cayman.
Related: Exploring the Beautiful Towns of Southern France
Keep reading for the full list of trending destinations for next year.
Where to Travel in 2020, According to American Express
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cairo, Egypt
- Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- The French Riviera
- Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA
- The Italian Alps
- Montana, USA
- Osaka, Japan
- Shanghai, China
- Whitsunday Islands, Australia
What's on your travel bucket list for 2020? Let us know on Instagram.
