MOST DESIRABLE COUNTRY (REST OF THE WORLD) Australia
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup, WorldPride and the inaugural SXSW Sydney all thrilling Australia last year, it’s hardly surprising that you’re gazing longingly Down Under. The island continent is having a moment, culturally speaking: the revamped West Bay Power Station turbine hall will provide a spectacular new arts venue for the 2024 Biennale of Sydney, while Brisbane’s riverfront is being reimagined as the city gears up to host the 2032 Olympics.
More significant, though, has been the increased focus on helping visitors learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Nearly 20,000 sq km of land was returned to Aboriginal peoples in Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory in 2022. And the launch of tire new Discover Aboriginal Experiences website collects together more than 160 tours led by Indigenous guides, enabling more travellers to experience truly authentic Australia.
We’ve been similarly enthused by positive news surrounding the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef. Tourism providers are helping scientists monitor coral health, allowing travellers to play our part in saving the world’s largest coral reef system.
In silver place, Japan is a perennial favourite among Wanderlust readers. Having reopened to all travellers only in late 2022, we can see why you’re so eager to return. And we’re clearly not alone in our love of the USA, in bronze. It’s not just the vast national parks that enthral, showcasing spectacular natural wonders, but also its vibrant history, museums and galleries to rival any in Europe.
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MOST DESIRABLE COUNTRY (EUROPE) Croatia
Having seen Dubrovnik voted top city in last year’s awards, it was only a matter of time before its country followed suit. Increasingly, travellers are looking beyond that storied citadel, where more than a million visitors throng its marble streets each year.
A new road, via the quiet Pelješac Peninsula, now circumvents the strip of coastal Bosnia & Herzegovina that divides Dubrovnik from the rest of Croatia, making for a spectacular drive along the Dalmatian Coast. There is also
