Top 5 Factors That Bring Forth Popular Travel Destinations
In my last post, I mentioned Bali as one of my favourite travel destinations that I can’t wait to visit again and again. Not just me. Bali is one of the top destinations for tourists around the world. Besides Bali, there are quite a few cities out there which consistently secured top spots in total visitors numbers every year. To name a few, London, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Barcelona, Seoul, are among popular cities that I visited before. So the question now is why. Why are they so attractive?
Loving a place or city is emotional. What’s behind to create that spark of love among travelers? Let’s read on for the 5 top reasons that I believe could have made them popular travel destinations as they are now.
Popular travel destinations are always safe for tourists
Popular travel destinations are always safe for tourists. This is no brainer. Who wants to visit a city with very high crime rate? Most travelers love places where they can freely and safely wander around wherever and whenever they feel like it. One best example city to let you do so is Tokyo. I believe you have hear enough stories about backpackers sleeping in the public parks without safety issues (Off course you are not encouraged to do so)! On the opposite sides of the barricades, high rape cases in some places in India discourage me from traveling there.
It is Vibrant and lively
A city full of energy means travelers have endless things to see and experience. A safe city encourages travelers to stay out late at night, and there should have plenty activities tourists can do at night. Club hopping is one of them and Bali’s Kuta or Phuket’s Patong are two best examples. Off course, a happening city full with human activities is perfect for travelers to experience the local culture or just sit at cafes enjoying people watching.
Enriched by Historic essence
The older the city is, the more histories it could carry along and tell foreign visitors. Take Beijing for example. Not only it’s safe to wander through Hutongs in its old streets at day and Wanfujing shopping streets at night, Beijing is also a popular travel destination with its 600 years old historic Forbidden City which houses the largest collection of preserved ancient wood structures in the world. Cities featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites are undoubtedly more popular for tourists.
Mouth Watering local Food
This seems to be subjective, but facts tell us that tourists love a city because of its foods! How many of us love visiting Korea because of its savoury Korean foods? At least for me. I will go over the hills and far away to Japan just because I miss their Kobe beef so much. On the other way round, I won’t have my heart in going back places where I can hardly think of any food that I like.
It is easily accessible by all means of transportation
This is crucial and easily understandable. A city will not be popular for tourists if it is difficult to reach. And you can conveniently get direct flights to popular destinations. Which comes first is actually a chicken and egg situation. On top of that, local transportation plays an important role in attracting foreign visitors. A great food joint will become popular only when it is easily accessible from downtown.
Going back London for its traditional Fish and Chips at The Rock & Sole Plaice, established since 1871, with crowds of people, and easily reached by bus or trains from where I stay, certainly bring forth pleasant memories to my travel.
Did I miss the ‘Money’ factor? Isn’t the cost factor the most important? Are cheaper hotels, foods and local transports contribute towards a higher city’s popularity? Not quite. Most of the top cities ranked by international tourists arrival are very expensive to travel! Cost of living does not directly affect its popularity. There are always people willing to spend if it’s worth to spend in a city.
Do you have your favourite city in mind? Peg it now and enjoy your life! If you are booking your hotels, check out Hotels Combined website which I used to compare all booking websites prices for every tours I’ve planned so far. – Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
