20 Travel Destinations Poised For Popularity in 2020

Want to visit somewhere new in 2020? Many parts of the globe that might once have been far off the tourist checklists are up-and-coming again, or for the first time. Check out our list of destinations that are getting the attention of travelers in 2020.

For North Americans, Morocco is closer than ever with new nonstop flights from the U.S. beginning next year. Explore the joie de vivre of laid back-yet-bustling Casablanca, take in views of the Atlas Mountains and old-meets-new charm of Marrakech, or revel in the country's centuries of imperial history in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Fez and Meknes.

Like a laid-back version of neighboring Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, is a low-key, high-art city that was named Ibero-American Culture Capital in 2013 for the second time. Beach lovers flock to the white sand beaches of Punta del Este, and Uruguayan wineries are fast gaining notice among oenophiles.

Three hours from Tahiti by air, this sparsely populated archipelago could be the archetypal South Pacific, as Herman Melville famously described in his 19th Century novel Typee. Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel were later escapees seeking refuge from urban ennui, and the islands' remote idyll and friendly people don't take long to serve as the intoxicating validation of their efforts.

Cambodia is another up-and-comer that has much more to offer than the main attractions of the temples at Angkor and the Khmer Rouge memorials. Visitors choose this southeast Asian gem for uncluttered, uncrowded beaches in the southern islands, the affordable colonial capital Phnom Penh, and biodiversity on par with anywhere else in the region.

Slovenia markets itself as one of Europe's greenest countries, both figuratively and literally. With vast expanses of green fields and trees and some of the most progressive environmental policies in the Balkans, Slovenia also playfully asserts to be the only country with the word "love" contained in its name. Charming towns and towering mountains complete the scenic spectacle.

Interest in Greenland exploded in 2019 after reports of U.S. interest in purchasing the country. While that has subsided, many Americans learned that Greenland is a land of spectacular scenery that's actually accessible to visitors. Poke around the small capital of Nuuk or venture by plane to other parts of this huge, glacier-covered island politically affiliated with Denmark.

Panama is more than just a canal, even though it's perhaps the country's most fascinating feature. Visitors will also enjoy ecotourism at lodges deep in the rainforest, and colonial charm in Casco Viejo in Panama City. Outside of the old city, Panama City is a cosmopolitan metropolis with an impressive skyline befitting its position at the "Crossroads of the Americas".

Colombia has been off the tourism radar for decades, but new economic and government stability have visitors beginning to take notice. From coastal Cartagena, where visitors can dine in a chic restaurant operated by a women's prison, to rainforests and colonial cities perched high up in the Andes, Colombia's gracious, welcoming people, plus biodiversity and culture in spades.

Attention on The Netherlands in 2019 mostly concerned Amsterdam's exhaustion with tourist traffic, but visitors will love many other exciting cities in this compact country. Visit The Hague, the country's only beach city, shop for famous Royal Delft earthenware in the city of Delft, explore Rembrandt's environs in picturesque Leiden, or cheer your favorite artists at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam.

Canada's Yukon has long been a stop for Alaska cruise passengers but it's seeing a resurgence in interest among travelers seeking to visit the arctic and revisit the paths of the 1898 gold prospectors who took up residence near Dawson City. There's also no shortage of outdoor activities for all seasons in the expansive Kluane National Park.

Many are already familiar with British Columbia's premier visitor attractions in Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria, but 2020 may be the year to get out and explore the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, the Okanagan wine country, or keep an eye peeled for legendary albino black bears among the thousand-year-old spruce trees of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Hawaii's smallest island open to visitors has a new lodging option. After a multi-year refresh, the Four Seasons Lanai at Koele has reopened as a Sensei Retreat. This all-inclusive wellness retreat features personal wellness guides and dining by Nobu, and the sparsely populated island with a wealth of landscapes and deserted beaches is just waiting to be explored.

The stunning topography and endless summer of this equatorial volcanic island on the coast of Africa has long drawn visitors from the Portuguese mainland (the island is part of Portugal) and throughout Europe. International visitors to Madeira are also just beginning to discover the island's sophisticated European cultural scene, well-tended gardens and expansive beaches.

Whether poking around the sites of the town made famous by the hit eponymous television program Derry Girls or tracing the history of the ocean liner Titanic in Belfast, Northern Ireland is hot on many travelers' lists in 2020. From Giant's Causeway to Carrickfergus, there's plenty to see along the scenic weather-beaten coastal byways.

Japanese travelers have long been visiting Hokkaido for mild summer weather, winter fun, and spectacular natural beauty. Travelers in the rest of the world are just beginning to take notice, mostly visiting Sapporo, the country's fifth-largest city. Here they take in the city's food and drink culture by sampling the famous local beer or soul-warming Hokkaido-style ramen noodle soup.

With Indian Ocean beaches but a Mediterannean vibe, Mozambique's capital Maputo is a modern city carved out of the coast, with interesting architecture old and new, whispers of Portuguese colonial charm in the form of breezy sidewalk cafes and historic markets, and few visitors. Abundant biodiversity also promises visitors rare wildlife sightings in virtually any part of the country.

So famously remote it's where Napoleon was exiled, St. Helena was only accessible by boat until 2017. Today, better air service has put the island on the map of the casual traveler, who can visit Napoleon's home, marvel at the island's unique flora and fauna, or poke about Jamestown, one of the best-preserved Georgian settlements anywhere in the world.

The instability of the 1990s long past, Rwanda is one of Central Africa's most stable democracies. The prime attraction is Volcanoes National park, where visitors can glimpse gorillas, golden monkeys, and other primates. Rwanda also leads environmental efforts in Africa, so don't pack any plastic bags in your luggage-they're banned in the country and will be confiscated at Customs.

Deep in the Western Pacific, Palau is famous for crystal-clear lagoons and spectacular marine life, which makes it understandably popular with divers. Nicknamed the "underwater Serengeti' because of it's abundant biodiversity, there are also plenty of WWII era wrecks to explore, both above and below the ocean's surface-all just over 90 minutes by air from Guam.

The northernmost of the former Baltic States, Estonia is a fascinating mix of Russian and Scandinavian culture, with charming, well-preserved medieval architecture and ultramodern technology-the country has held elections over the internet for over a decade. As an EU member and part of the Schengen Area, it's as easy for international visitors to access as anywhere in Europe.