Leisure > Travel

20 Destinations Due for a Huge Tourism Spike in 2020, According to Airbnb

The surprise winner? A humble Midwestern metropolis.

By Tanner Garrity @tannergarrity
<p>Airbnb recently compared bookings for 2020 with bookings made for 2019 at the same time last year, and <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/20-for-2020/">managed to identify 20 delightfully random destinations across the globe</a> due for a huge influx of visitors. The United States placed two surprising cities, including the number-one overall (which has seen an insane 729% increase), while other locales include far-flung South Pacific islands and towns in the foothills of British Columbia. Click through to catch all 20.</p>

Airbnb recently compared bookings for 2020 with bookings made for 2019 at the same time last year, and managed to identify 20 delightfully random destinations across the globe due for a huge influx of visitors. The United States placed two surprising cities, including the number-one overall (which has seen an insane 729% increase), while other locales include far-flung South Pacific islands and towns in the foothills of British Columbia. Click through to catch all 20.

20. <strong>Maastricht, Netherlands</strong><br><strong>The skinny</strong>: 55% increase in bookings; hosting global art fair TEFAF next year<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9920596?source_impression_id=p3_1572464845_hni%2BVLBvN6d05sgk">Atmospheric Farmhouse</a>
20. Maastricht, Netherlands
The skinny: 55% increase in bookings; hosting global art fair TEFAF next year
Choicest digs: Atmospheric Farmhouse
19. <strong>Malindi, Kenya</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 88% increase; port town with unique access to diving spots <br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4297734?source_impression_id=p3_1572464781_qOU69zmMTuH412Ud">Pool View Villa</a>
19. Malindi, Kenya
The skinny: 88% increase; port town with unique access to diving spots
Choicest digs: Pool View Villa
18. <strong>Kerala, India</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 95% increase; calm, coastal region with sanctuaries for elephants, monkeys and tigers<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/26109146?source_impression_id=p3_1572464690_f4IomUVLVoZ6n7bF">Riverloft Kabani</a>
18. Kerala, India
The skinny: 95% increase; calm, coastal region with sanctuaries for elephants, monkeys and tigers
Choicest digs: Riverloft Kabani
17.<strong> Tokyo, Japan</strong><br><strong>The skinny</strong>: 103% increase; hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3814258?source_impression_id=p3_1572464632_z%2BOS5k1tGJFAK4YZ">Tasu Toco</a>
17. Tokyo, Japan
The skinny: 103% increase; hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics
Choicest digs: Tasu Toco
16.<strong> Les Contamines-Montjoie, France</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 108% increase; French Alpine village near Chamonix<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11393206?source_impression_id=p3_1572464543_pxyb0N8ZbaejgD5H">Traditional Mountain Chalet</a>
16. Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
The skinny: 108% increase; French Alpine village near Chamonix
Choicest digs: Traditional Mountain Chalet
15. <strong>Ubatuba, Brazil</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 108% increase; São Paulo's surfing stronghold, with rainforest hiking trails nearby<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16258673?source_impression_id=p3_1572464483_zDI4DqXP%2FGW9azPw">Boutique Beachfront Loft</a>
15. Ubatuba, Brazil
The skinny: 108% increase; São Paulo’s surfing stronghold, with rainforest hiking trails nearby
Choicest digs: Boutique Beachfront Loft
14. <strong>Courtenay, British Columbia</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 114% increase; eco-friendly base camp for adventures on Vancouver Island <br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/26717465?location=Courtenay%2C%20Canada&adults=1&source_impression_id=p3_1572464428_sM5rF2EEL2dvQ4Ph">Riverfront Farm Tiny Home</a>
14. Courtenay, British Columbia
The skinny: 114% increase; eco-friendly base camp for adventures on Vancouver Island
Choicest digs: Riverfront Farm Tiny Home
13. <strong>Aberdeen, Scotland</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 119% increase; northeastern city along the coast, one of Britain's most "livable" cities <br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33726638?previous_page_section_name=1000&search_id=3f3b31c1-1982-1568-079e-3a0545210568&federated_search_id=e7e34b59-3e55-4305-baa8-82599c530dbf">Red Door Apartment</a>
13. Aberdeen, Scotland
The skinny: 119% increase; northeastern city along the coast, one of Britain’s most “livable” cities
Choicest digs: Red Door Apartment
12. <strong>Cape Canaveral, Florida</strong><br><strong>The skinny</strong>: 136% increase; NASA launches its Mars 2020 Exploration program next June<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/31651855?source_impression_id=p3_1572464245_qXIAg2jvcru2JXli">Tradewind Cottages</a>
12. Cape Canaveral, Florida
The skinny: 136% increase; NASA launches its Mars 2020 Exploration program next June
Choicest digs: Tradewind Cottages
11. <strong>Cali, Colombia</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 137% increase; only Colombian city along the Pacific, known as the "salsa capital"<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21699991?source_impression_id=p3_1572463887_qj%2B%2B%2F9alCDflJHw5">Grey Flat</a>
11. Cali, Colombia
The skinny: 137% increase; only Colombian city along the Pacific, known as the “salsa capital”
Choicest digs: Grey Flat
10. <strong>Vanuatu</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 140% increase; South Pacific archipelago nation with 80 islands, outdoor adventures <br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3878404?location=Vanuatu&source_impression_id=p3_1572463815_fIu3jSXEw54FGi9Q">The Bunker</a>
10. Vanuatu
The skinny: 140% increase; South Pacific archipelago nation with 80 islands, outdoor adventures
Choicest digs: The Bunker
9. <strong>Guadalajara, Mexico</strong><br>The skinny: 158% increase; Mexico's second biggest city, hosts a film festival and is the home of mariachi<br><strong>Choicest</strong> <strong>digs</strong>: <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21561785?source_impression_id=p3_1572463622_%2B5D89tMgmUtkUEQh">Casa Morelos </a>
9. Guadalajara, Mexico
The skinny: 158% increase; Mexico’s second biggest city, hosts a film festival and is the home of mariachi
Choicest digs: Casa Morelos
8. <strong>Luxembourg</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 167% increase; the entire City of Luxembourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a ton of underrated wineries<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/27420422?location=Luxembourg%20City%2C%20Luxembourg&source_impression_id=p3_1572463526_aXfloB1qLPMGaGXq">Luxembourg City Studio</a>
8. Luxembourg
The skinny: 167% increase; the entire City of Luxembourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a ton of underrated wineries
Choicest digs: Luxembourg City Studio
7. <strong>Eugene, Oregon</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 213% increase; Going carbon neutral next year, hosting national qualifiers for track and field<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/631872?source_impression_id=p3_1572463333_u7Wx0I82zj00S0vy">Urban Whiteaker Cottage</a>
7. Eugene, Oregon
The skinny: 213% increase; Going carbon neutral next year, hosting national qualifiers for track and field
Choicest digs: Urban Whiteaker Cottage
6. <strong>Xi'an, China</strong><br>The skinny: 255% increase; home of China's famous clay soldiers, launching a nighttime tour of the city next year<br><strong>Choicest digs</strong>: <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24589864?adults=1&source_impression_id=p3_1572463242_Dkm5XBTvEBX0D5c%2F">Ant Life Apartment</a>
6. Xi’an, China
The skinny: 255% increase; home of China’s famous clay soldiers, launching a nighttime tour of the city next year
Choicest digs: Ant Life Apartment
5. <strong>Romania</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 298% increase; the southeastern Balkan nation has managed to protect its virgin Transylvanian forests<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25700698?source_impression_id=p3_1572463108_d0pblX46PGTrBV00">Transylvania Tree House</a>
5. Romania
The skinny: 298% increase; the southeastern Balkan nation has managed to protect its virgin Transylvanian forests
Choicest digs: Transylvania Tree House
4. <strong>Sunbury, Victoria, Australia</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 356% increase; suburb north of Melbourne with wineries, Melbourne's hosting the ICC T20 next year (a cricket championship)<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19474895?location=Sunbury%2C%20Victoria%2C%20Australia&source_impression_id=p3_1572463058_l9b%2Bvq7qHjzrPwDw">Weekend Cottage</a>
4. Sunbury, Victoria, Australia
The skinny: 356% increase; suburb north of Melbourne with wineries, Melbourne’s hosting the ICC T20 next year (a cricket championship)
Choicest digs: Weekend Cottage
3. <strong>Buriram, Thailand</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 383% increase; province with Khmer Empire relics, hosting Grand Prix motorcycle racing next year<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/38974915?location=Buriram%2C%20Thailand&source_impression_id=p3_1572462875_zzNtj5p3xv568q3F">Private Townhouse</a>
3. Buriram, Thailand
The skinny: 383% increase; province with Khmer Empire relics, hosting Grand Prix motorcycle racing next year
Choicest digs: Private Townhouse
2. <strong>Bilbao, Spain</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 402% increase; won European City of the Year in 2018, one of 12 host cities for 2020 European Cup<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24940339?source_impression_id=p3_1572462820_XRel2CgwEy8ru485">River View Studio</a>
2. Bilbao, Spain
The skinny: 402% increase; won European City of the Year in 2018, one of 12 host cities for 2020 European Cup
Choicest digs: River View Studio
1. <strong>Milwaukee, Wisconsin</strong><br><strong>The skinny:</strong> 729% increase; hosting the 2020 DNC, bike-happy, home to one of America's most beautiful art museums (designed by Santiago Calatrava)<br><strong>Choicest digs:</strong> <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19074221?source_impression_id=p3_1572462685_kqZtpApxi07%2F%2FxCf">Charming Central Apartment</a>
1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The skinny: 729% increase; hosting the 2020 DNC, bike-happy, home to one of America’s most beautiful art museums (designed by Santiago Calatrava)
Choicest digs: Charming Central Apartment
Hobby Snapper – stock.adobe.com

Airbnb recently compared bookings for 2020 with bookings made for 2019 at the same time last year, and managed to identify 20 delightfully random destinations across the globe due for a huge influx of visitors. The United States placed two surprising cities, including the number-one overall (which has seen an insane 729% increase), while other locales include far-flung South Pacific islands and towns in the foothills of British Columbia. Click through to catch all 20.

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Meet your guide

Tanner Garrity

Tanner Garrity

Tanner Garrity is a senior editor at InsideHook, where he’s covered wellness, travel, sports and pop culture since 2017. Beyond the newsroom, he can usually be found running, skating, reading, writing fiction or playing tennis. He lives in Brooklyn.
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